A survey of infection control practices in the delivery room and nursery to investigate and control the high rate of neonatal sepsis: an experience at a secondary care hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To survey the infection control practices in the delivery room and the nursery so that the ongoing high rate of neonatal sepsis can be controlled.


METHODS
A prospective study was conducted at the Department of Pathology, Paediatrics and Gynae/obst Combined Military Hospital, Gujranwala. Situation analysis was carried out, according to which a total of 56 cases of neonatal sepsis were diagnosed on the basis of clinical and lab criteria during a six month period from November 2005 to April 2006. The routine being followed in relation to neonates was observed by a team of doctors in the delivery room and the nursery. Certain observations were made regarding breach of infection control practices and specimens were collected from suspected sources of infections for cultures. Recommendations were made in the light of observations and the results of cultures of the specimens to interrupt the chain of infection and to eradicate the source/reservoir of infections in the delivery room and the nursery environment. The gynaecologist and the paediatrician in charge of the delivery room and the nursery respectively remained involved during the whole process and the paramedical staff was given necessary training in the light of recommendations.


RESULTS
After the implementation of the control measures, the rate of neonatal sepsis was drastically reduced from 63/1000 to 14/1000 live births over the next 3 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Survey of the delivery room and nursery regarding infection control practices and training of the paramedical staff helped in reducing the nosocomial neonatal sepsis.
Mahmood
Abid
A
Department of Pathology, Combined Military Hospital, Gujranwala Cantt.
Fazal ur Rehman
Chughtai
Faiqa
F
D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003696:Delivery Rooms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006772:Hospitals, Military / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007226:Infant Mortality / Q000639:trends; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009725:Nurseries, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D018805:Sepsis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires