TITLE:
Hand Hygiene Compliance in the Prevention of Nosocomial Infections in the Neonatal Unit of the National University Teaching Hospital of Cotonou
AUTHORS:
Marcelline d’Almeida, Lehila Bagnan, Silé Souam Nguele, Edwige Djagoun, Edgard Marius Ouendo, Blaise Ayivi, Nicole Bouali Rouvinez
KEYWORDS:
Hand Washing, Nosocomial Infection, Neonatal Unit, Cotonou, Benin
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.7 No.4,
November
21,
2017
ABSTRACT: Objective: Despite the presence of hand washing material and
the training given to medical staff regarding hygiene measures and health care
procedures in October 2015, the prevalence of nosocomial infections in the
neonatal unit of the National University Teaching Hospital of Cotonou (CNHU-Cotonou)
was estimated at 8% in January 2016. To determine the factors that contribute
to these infections, this study assessed medical staff compliance with hand hygiene
measures and procedures. Method: This research was a cross-sectional and observational study conducted from February 15
to March 31, 2016 through direct and cautious observation of 47 members
of the medical and paramedical staff. The study variables were hand washing
before entering the neonatal unit and before entering each treatment room, hand
washing before and after seeing each
patient, compliance with hand washing steps, the use of hydroalcoholic
solutions and adhering to the ban on mobile phone use inside the treatment
room. Results: Only 15% of the medical staff followed all of the rules and
measures governing hand hygiene. The result showed that 76.6% of them did not
wash their hands before entering the unit; 32% washed their hands before each
care session; 95.7% washed their hands after each care session; and 85% did not
comply with the hand washing steps. Only 21.3% of the personnel used
hydroalcoholic solution, and only 85% of the personnel adhered to the ban on mobile phone use within the
treatment room. Conclusion: Compliance with hand hygiene measures is insufficient. These low compliance rates facilitate the occurrence of
nosocomial infections. Nosocomial infections could be prevented by
identifying the reasons that medical personnel do not wash their hands and by
implementing a program for education/awareness on hygiene measures based on an analysis of errors and care procedures and
sustained by regular evaluations.