OBJECTIVE: The general objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of chlorhexidine and povidone iodine for cleansing the operative field for abdominal deliveries and exploratory laparotomy for ectopic pregnancy. The specific objective was to compare the incidence of fever and surgical site infection (551) between the povidone iodine group and chlorhexidine group.

STUDY DESIGN: This is a randomized controlled trial comparing 0.2% chlorhexidine digluconate and povidone iodine 7.5% scrub followed by 10% povidone iodine paint as surgical site antiseptics. Primary outcome measured were postoperative fever and surgical site infection (551). The wounds were inspected 1, 2, 3, 7 and 14 days postoperatively. The agent used during the pre-operative antisepsis was continued during the postoperative wound dressing.

RESULTS: A total of 552 patients were enrolled between March and August 2008. There were no differences between the povidone iodine (n=277) and chlorhexidine (n=275) groups with respect to age, gravidity, distribution of cases, presence of previous cesarean section/s, past medical history, presence of co-morbid illness, smoking and alcohol use, 8MI, number of internal examinations, length of labor, length of rupture of bag of waters, type of surgery, amount of adhesions, length of operation, amount of intraoperative blood loss, use of prophylactic antibiotic, presence of break in asepsis, year level of surgeons, pre- and postoperative anemia and leukocytosis. The only variable observed to be significantly different was place of operation with 92.4% of operation being performed at the 08 Admitting Section among the chlorhexidine group (vs 84.5% in povidone iodine group). Results on the analysis of intent to treat data were comparable with that of complete data. There was no significant difference in the incidence of fever on 3, 7 and 14 days postoperatively between the povidone iodine group and chlorhexidine group. Likewise, there was no significant difference in the incidence of surgical site infection on 3 and 14 days postoperatively between the two study groups. However, there was a significant difference in the incidence of 5517 days postoperatively, occurring in 7.63% and 2.75% under the complete data (P=.0132), 6.9% and 2.6% under the positive outcome assumption (P=.0168), and in 16.6% and 7.6% under the negative outcome assumption (P=.0013) for povidone iodine and chlorhexidine group, respectively.

CONCLUSION: It appears that chlorhexidine is superior to povidone iodine in the control of surgical site infection 7 days after abdominal delivery and exploratory laparotomy for ectopic pregnancy.

Human ; Female ; Povidone-iodine ; Chlorhexidine Gluconate ; Chlorhexidine ; Anti-infective Agents, Local ; Surgical Wound Infection ; Asepsis ; Leukocytosis ; Laparotomy ; Antisepsis ; Cesarean Section ; Pregnancy, Ectopic

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are well-known, useful techniques for the treatment of painful vertebral compression fractures. Although the risk associated with these procedures is low, serious complications can occur. Of these complications, infection is even rarer, however, when it does occur, it is difficult to manage and can become life-threatening. We describe here a case of infectious spondylitis with epidural inflammation that occurred after performing kyphoplasty in a patient who had a thoracic vertebra compression fracture. We reviewed other case and literatures. Extreme asepsis of the operating theater, screening and treatment for systemic infection prior to the procedure, as well as the use of appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis are strongly recommended when conducting kyphoplasty to prevent infection.
Antibiotic Prophylaxis ; Asepsis ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Kyphoplasty* ; Mass Screening ; Spine ; Spondylitis* ; Vertebroplasty

Semmelweis correctly concluded that puerperal fever could be spread from necrotic discharge from living patients, as well as autopsy material. And maternal death rate was decreased dramatically by washing hands in chlorinated lime. Semmelweis may be credited with having for the first time constructed a statistically tested system of asepsis (keeping germs away from the patient) before the germ theory had arrived.
Asepsis ; Autopsy ; Fever ; Hand ; Humans ; Maternal Death*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the content related to nosocomial infection control in the course on Fundamentals of Nursing. METHOD: Participants were 49 faculty who were teaching courses in Fundamentals of Nursing in universities and colleges in Korea. The questionnaire was composed of 55 items related to nosocomial infection control. RESULTS: Eighteen items out of 55 items were taught in more than 80% of the universities and colleges. These included principles of infection control, principles and effect of hand washing, method of hand washing, hand scrubs, and donning sterile gown and gloves. CONCLUSION: The most effective interventions for infection control, including asepsis, hand washing, infection control for urinary catheterization, and infection control for IV sites were taught in most universities and colleges. However, the time assigned for teaching these items and the importance placed on practice were not considered sufficient.
Asepsis ; Cross Infection* ; Education* ; Hand ; Hand Disinfection ; Infection Control ; Korea ; Nursing* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urinary Catheterization ; Urinary Catheters

PURPOSE: This study was done to compare the effectiveness of web learning versus traditional education for learning Asepsis technique in Basic Nursing Practice. METHOD: This research was a quasi-experimental study. The participants were 60 students who were taking Basic Nursing at a nursing college in G city. Thirty students each were assigned to the experimental and the control group. Data were collected between September 26 and 30, 2005. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Independent t-test and ANCOVA. RESULTS: The mean score for competence in Asepsis technique practice in the experimental group was 24.73 and in the control group 22.80. This result was statistically significant(t = 3.723, P = .001). The mean score for knowledge in the experimental group was 42.93 and in the control group 38.93. This result was statistically significant(t = 2.119, P = .038). The mean score for satisfaction with degree of study in the experimental group was 55.50 for the pre-test and 56.17 for the post-test, and in the control group 60.23 and 58.00 respectively. This result was statistically significant(F = 10.537, P = .002). CONCLUSION: The Web based learning was found to be effective in nursing practice, student satisfaction and knowledge, but web-based programs have to be continuously managed and various demands from learners have to be accepted. Eventually we have to use web-based program as educational medium to promote effective learning nursing education.
Asepsis* ; Education* ; Education, Nursing ; Humans ; Learning* ; Mental Competency ; Nursing*