Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

S120 – Healthcare‐Associated Infections Can Be Reduced

2008; Wiley; Volume: 139; Issue: S2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.otohns.2008.05.293

1097-6817

Joacim Stalfors,

Objectives The WHO states that nosocomial infections occur in 9% of all patients and this mean figure has been confirmed at our hospital. As a result, a project was started, designed to reduce the number of patients with healthcare‐associated infections by means of improved compliance with hygiene guidelines (working clothes and hand hygiene). This prospective study assessed the frequency of healthcare‐associated infections and compliance with hygiene guidelines at an regional ENT ward. At intervention, information was given repeatedly about the current guiding principles, and equipment for hygiene, such as antiseptics, gloves, and aprons, was made more accessible. Methods Healthcare‐associated infections were assessed by questionnaires sent to a random sample of patients. Compliance with hygiene guidelines was assessed by randomly spot‐checking co‐workers. Assessments were performed before, during, and 6 months after intervention. Results Healthcare‐associated infections were registered in 9/67 (13.4%) of the patients before intervention. The rate of correct hand hygiene or clothing was 30% and 50% respectively. After 3 months of intervention, the guidelines for hand hygiene and clothing were followed by 80% and 90% respectively. The healthcare‐associated infections were reduced to 5/66 (7.6%). When repeating the assessment 6 months later, the healthcare‐associated infections were 13/193 (6.7%) and compliance with hand hygiene and clothing was 60% and 75% respectively. Conclusions By stressing the guiding principles for hygiene, the frequency of healthcare‐associated infections can be reduced. This reduction was not statistically significant (p=0.15).