Basic Requirements to follow Infection Prevention:

• Running water supply
• Soap
• Elbow or foot operated taps
• Strict hand washing practice
• Plenty of disposable (Sterile gloves, needle and syringe)
• Disinfectant/antiseptic solutions
• Strict adherence to asepsis routines and good housekeeping
• Rational use of antibiotics

Guidelines for Health Workers in SNCU

• Remove shoes, socks, woolens, watch, bangles, and rings
• Roll up the full sleeves up to elbow
• Wash hands with soap and water and dry properly
• Put on clean gown and slippers
• Keep nails short without nail polish
• Tie the hair or cover it properly with a cap
• Wash hand with soap and water strictly before and after caring/touching newborn baby and before any treatment procedure
• Use standard precaution when handling the baby with infection to prevent nosocomial infection
• Replace all the necessary equipment in right place after using
  

Guidelines for Visitors before entering SNCU

• Remove shoes, socks, woolens, watch, bangles and rings
• Wash hand with soap and water
• Put on clean gown and slipper
• SNCU should have limited person entering the areas. Only parents of the baby should be allowed to enter the SNCU and one person at a time
• Mothers should wear clean cloth and wash hands
• Parents should be guided and supervised about proper hand-washing technique
• Any person with active infection should not be allowed into the baby care area
  

Guideline for SNCU/Nursery environment

• The nursery temperature should be maintained between 28-30 ̊ C.
• The environment should be calm and clean
• There should be 24 hour water and electric supply with adequate ventilation and lighting
• Overcrowding should be avoided
• Floor should be cleaned with dilute phenyl
• Clean the walls with antiseptic solution once daily
• Dustbins should be washed with soap and water daily
• Always use sterile gloves for invasive procedures
• Wash gloved hands to remove the blood stains and secretion in 0.5% chlorine solution. (outside the Nursery)
• Wash hands again with soap and water after removing the gloves

Abbreviations

• ICU: Intensive Care Unit
• ICCU: Intensive Care Cardiac Unit
• NICU: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
• MICU: Medical Intensive Care Unit
• CCU: Critical Care Unit
• SICU: Surgical Intensive Care Unit
• PICU: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
• SNC: Special Newborn Care Unit