Infection Control

Impact of hand hygiene practices on reduction of nosocomial infection in the neonatal intensive care unit at King  Hussein Medical Center Amman- Jordan

 

           Hashem E. Aqrabawi MBBS MRCPCH

                       Ahmad F. Abu-Zeid MBBS

                                   Amal N. Obeidat RN, ICM

 

 

Correspondence to:

 

Hashem E. Aqrabawi MBBS MRCPCH

Consultant neonatologist

King Hussein Medical Center/ Neonatal unit

Amman

Jordan

PO Box: 850892

Post Code: 11185

E mail: aqrabawi@hotmail.com"

Tel: 00962799018504

 

Abstract

 

Objective: To study the effectiveness of hand hygiene practices among personnel working in the neonatal unit at king Hussein Medical Center     in reducing the rate of nosocomial infection.

Methods: The study was conducted over one year period starting from January 2009 to December 2009. Hand hygiene practices including hand washing and the use of alcohol-based solutions for hand rubbing were strictly implemented in the unit over that period of time. The rate of infection was calculated and compared with previous year.

Results: The infection rate had significantly dropped to low rates compared with previous year.

Conclusion: Simple hand hygiene practices are very effective and inexpensive methods in reducing infection rate among high-risk neonates. Compliance of health care workers with hand hygiene practices is crucial for reduction in infection rates in neonatal intensive care units.

 

Key words: hand hygiene, nosocomial infection.

 

Abbreviations : NICU, neonatal intensive care unit; SCBU, special care baby unit; KHMC, King Hussein Medical Center; ICM, infection control manager; HCW, health care worker; BSI, blood stream infection.

 

Posted by: Hashem E. Aqrabawi, Neonatologist, KHMC, Jordan (30-Dec-2011)