Tehran University Medical Journal

Background: Many of hospital acquired infections that cause so much morbidity and mortality and have great economical burden are transmitted via contaminated hands of health care workers (HCW).Prevalence of these infections can decrease up to 30% with hygienic measures. In this study we assessed the prevalence of careers and microbial spectrum of HCW,s hand and relation between detergent used for washing and reduction of microbial load of HCW, s hand.

Materials and Methods: This study was done in two part: Descriptive part (cross sectional) and analytical part (before –after). Cases were Consist of all staff Working in wards of center of pediatrics hospital (Including attends, residents, interns, nurses and workers). In first part ,we assess hand microbial spectrum and contamination load of 72 staff and in second part, we assessed and compared hand microbial spectrum and load before and after of washing with four detergent : plain soap (60 staff ), liquid soap (60 staff ) , betadin scrub in ward (60 staff ) and betadin scrub in operating room manner (26 staff).

Results: %87.5 of personnel had positive cultures-.The most prevalent bacteria were staph. epidermidis (%79.4), staph. oreus (%42.9), klebsiella (%12.7), E-coli (%12.7). The rate of reduction or negative cultures in groups used betadin were greater than the first two group (P-value <0/05).Thirty staff (10 with plain soap,10 with liquid soap and 10 with operating room betadin scrub ) dried their hands after washing. Forty percent of first, fifty percent of second and ninety percent of third group have negative culture after drying. Also 11 samples were drawn from faucets that all of them were positive.

Conclusion: Prevalence of careers is high among HCWS and drying of hands can an important role in hospital infection rate. Faucets have heavy contamination and can transmit bacteria to hands after washing. For theses reasons education and of staff to correct hand washing and drying before every contact with patients and used of faucets without direct hand touching can play a great role in lowering hospital infections.