BACKGROUND: This study examined the effects of a standardized hand hygiene program on the rate of nosocomial infection (NI) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (birth weight < 1500 g) admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). METHODS: We compared the rate of NI in VLBW infants in 2 separate periods. In the first period, staff were encouraged to perform handwashing using a plain fluid detergent (0.5% triclosan). In the second period, a standardized hand hygiene program was implemented using antimicrobial soap (4% chlorhexidine gluconate) and alcohol-based hand rubs. RESULTS: NI after 72 hours of life was detected in 16 of the 85 VLBW infants in the first period and in 5 of the 80 VLBW infants in the second period. The rate of central venous catheter colonization was significantly lower in the second period (5.8%) than in the first period (16.6%). CONCLUSION: In our NICU, the incidence of NI in VLBW infants was significantly reduced after the introduction of a standardized handwashing protocol. In our experience, a proper hand hygiene program can save approximately 10 NI episodes/year, at a cost of $10,000 per episode. Therefore, improving hand hygiene practice is a cost-effective program in the NICU.
BACKGROUND: This study examined the effects of a standardized hand hygiene program on the rate of nosocomial infection (NI) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (birth weight < 1500 g) admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). METHODS: We compared the rate of NI in VLBW infants in 2 separate periods. In the first period, staff were encouraged to perform handwashing using a plain fluid detergent (0.5% triclosan). In the second period, a standardized hand hygiene program was implemented using antimicrobial soap (4% chlorhexidine gluconate) and alcohol-based hand rubs. RESULTS: NI after 72 hours of life was detected in 16 of the 85 VLBW infants in the first period and in 5 of the 80 VLBW infants in the second period. The rate of central venous catheter colonization was significantly lower in the second period (5.8%) than in the first period (16.6%). CONCLUSION: In our NICU, the incidence of NI in VLBW infants was significantly reduced after the introduction of a standardized handwashing protocol. In our experience, a proper hand hygiene program can save approximately 10 NI episodes/year, at a cost of $10,000 per episode. Therefore, improving hand hygiene practice is a cost-effective program in the NICU.
Authors: Hang Thi Phan; Hang Thi Thuy Tran; Hanh Thi My Tran; Anh Pham Phuong Dinh; Ha Thanh Ngo; Jenny Theorell-Haglow; Christopher J Gordon Journal: BMC Infect Dis Date: 2018-03-07 Impact factor: 3.090
Authors: Mayra Gonçalves Menegueti; Fernando Bellissimo-Rodrigues; Marcia A Ciol; Maria Auxiliadora-Martins; Anibal Basile-Filho; Silvia Rita Marin da Silva Canini; Elucir Gir; Ana Maria Laus Journal: Antimicrob Resist Infect Control Date: 2021-01-06 Impact factor: 4.887
Authors: Niccolò Buetti; Jonas Marschall; Marci Drees; Mohamad G Fakih; Lynn Hadaway; Lisa L Maragakis; Elizabeth Monsees; Shannon Novosad; Naomi P O'Grady; Mark E Rupp; Joshua Wolf; Deborah Yokoe; Leonard A Mermel Journal: Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol Date: 2022-04-19 Impact factor: 6.520