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The efficacy of cotton cover gowns in reducing infection in nursing neutropenic patients: An evidence‐based study
Author(s) -
Kenny Heather,
Lawson Elizabeth
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
international journal of nursing practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.62
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1440-172X
pISSN - 1322-7114
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-172x.2000.00193.x
Subject(s) - medicine , broad spectrum , infection rate , significant difference , intensive care medicine , surgery , emergency medicine , chemistry , combinatorial chemistry
This pilot study aimed to investigate the routine use of cotton cover gowns in the care of neutropenic patients and whether the rate of infection would increase if they were not used. Patients were randomly placed into alternate groups on admission and nursed with or without gowns. The patients’ rates of infection were noted with no significant difference in infection rates. Using evidence from a systematic review of the literature, cover gowns have now been removed as a method of protecting neutropenic patients. ‘Simple’ and effective hand‐washing, together with the use of broad‐spectrum antibiotics, has been shown to be sufficient protection for these patients.