Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Biography

Biography: Mohamed Fathey Abd El –Reheem

Abstract

Neonatal infection is a primary cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Objective to facilitate performance improvement by reduction of hospital-acquired infection (HAI) in hospitalized neonates.

Current infection control practices were surveyed and two main areas were identified for quality improvement: hand hygiene, compliance with infection control .Over 6 months, several initiatives were implemented to reduce risk of HAI. 1. Hand Hygiene: The unit manager established a hand soap and hand sanitizer. 2. Compliance with Infection Control Guidelines, Weekly basis health educational a session for neonatology unit was implemented. Infection control measures discussed included the use of gowns, hand washing and proper cleaning. This teaching role rotated between staff over the course of the month. 3. Reduction of non-clinical visitors: Non-clinical staff visited for social reasons frequently. Lessons Learned the unit initially struggled to find the resources needed. In working with the hospital-wide infection control initiative, neonatal staff, and visitors, the resources were available for a sustainable improvement project. The unit manager sought consensus that these interventions were possible and important as well as soliciting staff ideas. Soap and hand sanitizer were consistently available, parents reminded each other of infection control measures, and non-clinical staff in the unit has decreased significantly. In resource-poor settings, assuring sustainability is critical as waste and infection risk have a larger impact than in resource-rich settings. The development and implementation of infection control measures and evidence based interventions included gathering administrative support for reduction of waste and infection risk staff and visitors who supported infection control measures within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.