J Nurs Acad Soc.  1984 Dec;14(2):55-62.

Bacteriolgical Studies Relation to Contamination of Nurses' Hands

• Rhee JS

Abstract

This study was performed from september 26th to October 7th 1981 to investigate the contamination problems of Nurse's hands characterized by various nursing functions A total of 50 nurse's hands were sampled from 5 different wards of H. University Hospital. The samples were cultured for isolation of microorganisms. The results were as follows: 1. Of 50 Nurses 23 were found to be contaminated by 9 species of bacilli such as Non-fermentative gram negative bacilli, Gram negative bacilli, Oxidase positive, Enterobacter, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Gaffkya tetragena, Bacillus subtilis. 2. The contaminate rates by wards where they have been serving are; 7(87.5%) of 8 nurses from Intensive care unit, 7(70%) of 10 nurses from general surgery ward, 3(50%) of 6 nurses from neurosurgery ward, 2(20%) of 10 nurses from orthopedic surgery ward, 4(25%) of 16 nurses from medical ward. 3. The contamination rates by the types of clinical service offered are 6(85.7%) of 7 nurses after wound dressing assist 6(33.3%) of 13 nurses after vital sign check. 4. No statistical significance could be observed as to the between the rates of contamination of nurse's hands with various nursing functions(0.15. There was statistically significant relationship between the rates of nurse's hands and clinical ward services(0.026. There was no statistically significant relationship between the rates of contamination of nurse's hand and educational background, and clinical carrier(0.1).

MeSH Terms

Acinetobacter
Bacillus subtilis
Bandages
Enterobacter
Escherichia coli
Hand*
Intensive Care Units
Neurosurgery
Nursing
Orthopedics
Oxidoreductases
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Staphylococcus epidermidis
Vital Signs
Wounds and Injuries
Oxidoreductases