Gowning does not affect colonization or infection rates in a neonatal intensive care unit.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of gowning in a neonatal intensive care unit on colonization patterns, necrotizing enterocolitis, respiratory syncytial virus and other infections, mortality, and traffic and handwashing patterns.


METHODS
Alternate 2-month gowning and no-gowning cycles were established in a 24-bed level III neonatal intensive care unit for 8 months, with respiratory site, umbilical, and stool surveillance cultures done weekly on all patients. Traffic flow and handwashing compliance were evaluated by direct observation.


RESULTS
Demographic data did not differ between periods. There were no significant differences between the gowning and no-gowning periods in the rates of bacterial colonization, any type of infection, or mortality. There was no effect on traffic flow or handwashing compliance.


CONCLUSIONS
Gowning in the neonatal intensive care unit is an unnecessary custom without benefit in neonatal colonization, infection rates, mortality, traffic patterns, and handwashing behavior.
Pelke
S
S
Department of Pediatrics, Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children, Honolulu.
Ching
D
D
Easa
D
D
Melish
M E
ME
D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000453:epidemiology; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D006254:Hawaii; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D017053:Infection Control / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D017757:Infectious Disease Transmission, Professional-to-Patient / Q000517:prevention & control; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011481:Protective Clothing / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology