assessment of knowledge of the medical staff (residents and nurses) in nosocomial infections in nicu in mashhad

introduction: nosocomial infections (ni) are frequent and relevant problem and it is responsible for mortality especially in pediatric icu and nicus. healthcare- associated infections are of important wide-ranging concern in the medical field. in the neonatal intensive care unit population the nosocomial infection rate is highest in the lowest-birth-weight infants. it is this group of infants who require the most therapeutic interventions to support them leading to frequent invasive procedures and the longest exposure to the hospital environment. however, infection rates vary from one unit to another, suggesting that there are differences in either how infection rates are determined or the care provided in the various units. the purpose of this study was assessment of knowledge of care givers who work in nicu about nosocomial infections. methods: we prepared a questionnaire about knowledge of medical staff in nosocomial infections and gave it to personnel’s of nicu, they answered the questions then we have corrected the answers.  the knowledge of them divided into 4 groups based on the score of this exam. >75% correct answers: excellent, 50-74%: good, 25-49%: moderate, <25%, weak.  results: between 30 personnel who worked in nicu and enrolled in this study 20 of them were nurses and 10 were residents. 5%of nurses achieved low score,45% achieved good score and 50%achieved excellent score. 20%of residents achieved moderate score, 50% good score and 30%achived excellent score. conclusion: according to these results it is necessary to increase the education and awareness of care givers about nosocomial infections and its importance in mortality especially in neonates. healthcare-associated infections are a major public health problem. a recent cdc report estimated the annual medical costs of healthcare-associated infections to u.s. hospitals to be between $28 and $45 billion, adjusted to 2007 dollars. hospitals have sanitation protocols regarding uniforms, equipment sterilization, washing, and other preventive measures. thorough hand washing and/or use of alcohol rubs by all medical personnel before and after each patient contact is one of the most effective ways to combat nosocomial infections. we have to increase knowledge and awareness of caregivers (nurses and residents) about ni to improve prevention and decrease mortality and costs.