Infection control and hospital epidemiology : the official journal of the Society of Hospital Epidemiologists of America
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Mar 2005
Comparative StudySurveillance and infection control in an intensive care unit.
To evaluate the effect of an infection control program on the incidence of hospital-acquired infection (HAI) and associated mortality. ⋯ Routine surveillance for HAI, coupled with new measures to prevent infections and a revised policy for antimicrobial therapy, was associated with a reduction in ICU HAls and mortality.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Mar 2005
Comparative StudyImpact of nosocomial infection on cost of illness and length of stay in intensive care units.
Economic evaluation has become increasingly important in healthcare and infection control. This study evaluated the impact of nosocomial infections on cost of illness and length of stay (LOS) in intensive care units (ICUs). ⋯ Nosocomial infections are associated with increased cost of illness and LOS. Prevention of nosocomial infections should reduce direct costs and decrease the LOS.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Mar 2005
Attitudes and perceptions toward hand hygiene among healthcare workers caring for critically ill neonates.
Infectious complications are frequent among critically ill neonates. Hand hygiene is the leading measure to prevent healthcare-associated infections, but poor compliance has been repeatedly documented, including in the neonatal setting. Hand hygiene promotion requires a complex approach that should consider personal factors affecting healthcare workers' attitudes. ⋯ Our data highlight the importance of the opinions of superiors and a strong perceived controllability over the difficulty to perform hand hygiene as possible internal factors that may influence hand hygiene compliance.