Improving handwashing habits in the newborn nurseries.

In five separate sessions over a 13-month period, the authors monitored the handwashing habits of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in the nursery. Compliance rates regarding three specific items related to handwashing prophylaxis were noted by a group of observers without the knowledge of the subjects involved. Good handwashing prophylaxis was carried out by the doctors only 37.5% prior to handling infants, and 29.2% after contact with inanimate objects, whereas for these items the nurses complied 53.9% and 29.2%, respectively. Wrist ornaments were removed prior to handwashing in 72.7% and 75.3% of contacts. The data for other healthcare professionals were generally similar. The information from this study was used for educational purposes, which seemed to have had an impact on handwashing habits. The compliance rates during the later part of the study for the first two items combined improved from 28.4% to 62.6% (p less than 0.001). The authors conclude that in the newborn units, the compliance with handwashing is generally poor. They believe that with continued monitoring and educational efforts, it may be possible to improve habits regarding handwashing prophylaxis.