Context: Microbiological culture and sensitivity though gold standard, takes time to convey report which can delay rational treatment for the infection of the wound that take place after surgery. Aims: To assess the efficacy of clinical assessment of infected wounds in terms of bacteriology in comparison to culture and sensitivity Settings and design: Hospital based observational diagnostic evaluation study was carried out at department of General Surgery, Government Medical
College, Latur. Methods: Detailed history, thorough clinical
examination including systemic examination of all the patients and local examination of the wound of all the patients was carried out and the data was recorded. Swabs taken on sterile swab sticks and sent
for culture within 1 hr. Where swabs cannot be taken pus, samples are taken and sent for culture. Antibiotic regimen started as per the clinical judgement from history and examination. Comparison between the
swab reports and the suspected organism done and observations noted. Statistical Analyzis: The data was analyzed using sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value
Results: The sensitivity of the clinical assessment of the infected wound for positivity was found to be 87% with same rate for Positive predictive value. But it has been observed that the clinical assessment lacked the
specificity. The sensitivity of the clinical assessment of the resistant infected wound was found to be 100% with same rate for negative predictive value. Specificity was 98.9% and a Positive predictive value
was found to be 83.3%. The sensitivity of the clinical assessment of the type of organism was found to be 100% with same rate for negative predictive value. Specificity was 78.3% and a Positive predictive value
was found to be 84.4%. Conclusion: Commensal flora of organisms is
responsible for infections in almost 80 percent of wounds as the wounds are due to trauma causing break in the epithelial barrier. This can be identified clinically and can be treated accordingly before the
microbiological report appears

Keywords: Infection; Clinical assessment; Wounds; Correlation; Therapy.