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Efectividad de un programa de higiene de manos con alcohol en la reducción de infecciones nosocomiales en la Sala de Urología del Hospital Binh Dan, Vietnam
Author(s) -
Nguyen Kim V.,
Nguyen Phuong Tran My,
Jones Stephanie L.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
tropical medicine and international health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1365-3156
pISSN - 1360-2276
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2008.02141.x
Subject(s) - hygiene , medicine , incidence (geometry) , environmental health , intensive care medicine , emergency medicine , optics , physics , pathology
Summary Objectives To determine the effectiveness of hand hygiene in a developing healthcare setting in reducing nosocomial infections (NIs). Method Prospective study measuring NI rates in a urology ward in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, before and after implementation of a hand hygiene programme with an alcohol‐based decontaminant, and compliance rates of medical staff and carers with hand hygiene using standardised observation sheets. Results Incidence of NIs fell by 84%, from 13.1% to 2.1%, after implementation of the hand hygiene programme. Extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase production was detected in 38.2%–50% of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from clinical samples. Length of patient stay and cost to the patient for antibiotics were reduced after implementation of the hand hygiene programme. Conclusion The hand hygiene programme was effective in reducing incidence of NIs, leading to shorter inpatient stays and reduced treatment costs. Such programmes with measurable outcomes can be implemented at minimal cost in developing health contexts and should be promoted in all healthcare settings.