Adhesion to the hand hygienization of health professionals in a neonatal intensive care unit

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the adherence of health professionals regarding hand hygiene in a Neonatal Intensive Care service. METHOD: This is a sectional survey, carried out through a checklist used by the Hospital Infection Control Service to verify the adherence of multidisciplinary teams to hand hygiene. The collection took place in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, in all work shifts. 1096 observations were recorded, analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The adherence rate was 55.4%, of which 83% with soap and water and 17% through rubbing with alcohol. The moment of greatest adherence with soap and water was before and after contact with the patient; and the action with alcohol, before contact with the patient. Speech therapists obtained the highest rate of hand hygiene (93.7%). CONCLUSION: There was a low rate of adherence by health professionals to MH, except for speech therapists, especially after risk of exposure to body fluids.