To develop and evaluate effectiveness of Standard operating procedure on control and prevention of nosocomial infection in NICU at SDM Hospital Sattur, Dharwad.

Abstract

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY:
NICU is one of the most important but infection prone area of the hospital. It is not the treatment but the prevention which is the goal of infection control for the newborn. This goal is affected through good prenatal screening, immunization and early therapy of the mother prior to or during her pregnancy.
Measures for reducing neonatal infection deserve high priority in every neonatal unit. Most neonatal infections are preventable if asepsis is maintained in the nursery. The provision of adequate space, ventilation and availability of adequate number of well trained nurses is essential for prevention of nosocomial infection. Prevention consists of two components, prevention of the disease and control of its spread to others. Implementation of the standard precaution is the primary strategy for successful nosocomial infection control. Hence all the nursing personnel working in the neonatal unit should make conscious and determined effort to enforce aseptic techniques at all time.
OBJECTIVES
1. To assess the current practice regarding control and prevention of nosocomial infection in NICU.
2. To evaluate the effectiveness of SOP’s on control and prevention of nosocomial infection in NICU at SDM Hospital Dharwad.

METHODS:

The research approach adopted was quantitative with pre experimental one group pre-test post-test design.

RESULTS:
In the pre-test 63.33% (19) of staff nurses had inadequate practice, 36.66% (11) had moderate practice and none of the staff nurses had adequate practice regarding control and prevention of nosocomial infection in NICU.
In the post-test 90%(27) of staff nurses had adequate practice score and 10%(3) of staff nurses had moderate practice score regarding control and prevention of nosocomial infection in NICU.
Comparison of pre and post test result revealed that the mean pre-test score was 19.1 and SD was 2.29 where as the mean post test score was 32.8 and SD 3.60. The obtained or calculated ‘t” value was 17.60. This result clearly indicated that the Standard Operative Procedures was effective in enhancing the practice of staff nurses regarding control and prevention of nosocomial infection in NICU.
Hence it is proved that SOP’s were helpful to guide the staff nurses practice in regards to control and prevention of nosocomial infection in NICU.