ObjectiveSurgical site infection (SSI) is associated with morbidity, increased healthcare costs and in some cases poor outcomes in patients. The purpose of this study was to identify the burden of SSI and the risk factors among hospitalized patients undergoing spinal surgery in a Chinese hospital.MethodsA prospective cohort study was performed in patients who underwent spinal surgery in a hospital of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in China from June 26 to November 30 in 2014. SSI was diagnosed according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria of the U.S., and was identified by bedside surveillance and postdischarge follow up. The detailed characteristics of pre, intra and postoperative patients were recorded with a standardized data collection form.ResultsA total of 192 patients with spinal surgery were included in the study, 7(3.6%) of these patients developed SSI. Contaminated and dirty/infected wound, surgical drainage, and blood transfusion were associated with increased Odds of SSI by bivariate analysis. Intravenous antimicrobial prophylaxis (AMP) was given in 120 of 192 (62.5%) spinal surgery. The average duration of AMP administered was 2.2 days (range, 1-9), 139 (72.4%) of 192 patients were prescribed TCM after spinal surgery.ConclusionThe incidence of SSI among patients after spinal surgery in a hospital of TCM in China was identified. This study is served as a reference for studying SSI in spinal surgery in future, and also provides the valuable information to formulate SSI prevention programs.