Hygiene in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Floor Hygiene

Anything that falls on the floor is considered contaminated and must either be thrown away or washed.

When you are sick

No one should enter the NICU if they are ill with fever, vomiting, cold, diarrhea, or have been in contact with children who have contagious childhood diseases. Parents with a cold may be with their child if they wear a face mask.

Cleanliness

Remove rings, watches, and bracelets before entering the NICU and before washing your hands and using hand sanitizer.

Ensure your nails are clean, short, and without nail polish. Bacteria that collect in jewellery, rings, or under nails are usually harmless to healthy children and adults but can cause illness in weakened or premature babies.

We expect you to shower daily during your stay and wear clean clothes. You can borrow hospital clothes, which you should change every day.

• Strong-smelling perfumes or other scented products are not recommended.

Toys

For hygiene reasons, we recommend limiting the number of stuffed animals to one in the crib. This stuffed animal must be washed before bringing it into the NICU. If you wish to use your own blankets or clothes for your child, they must also be washed before bringing them in.

Flowers

Many people like to bring flowers when visiting a patient at the hospital, but due to the risk of infection and allergies, some units do not allow flowers. Flowers, soil, and water can contain bacteria, so no intensive care units allow flowers in the unit or in familyrooms.

Mobile phones

Mobile phones brought into the NICU must be wiped down with 70% alcohol-based disinfectant. This is for infection control. Phones must be set to silent. We request minimal use of mobile phones out of respect for the children in the unit. Please remember that your child needs your full attention.

Proper hand hygiene

There are two ways to clean your hands effectively:

• Hand Sanitizer (Alcohol-based)
• Thorough Handwashing with Soap and Water. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is the most effective method, and we recommend using it in most situations. However, hand washing with soap and water should be done in the following cases:
  • When hands are visibly soiled
  • After using the toilet
  • Before meals
  • Before and after pumping breast milk

In all other cases, use hand sanitizer!

Hand washing with soap and water

• Total time: 40-60 seconds
• Wet your hands with water.
• Apply enough soap to cover both hands.
• Rub your palms together.
• Rub the back of your right hand on the front of your left hand, including between the fingers, and vice versa.
• Rub your palms together with your fingers interlaced.
• Rub the backs of your fingers against the opposite palm, with fingers interlocked.
• Grasp your left thumb with your right hand and rub in rotating motions, and vice versa.
• Place your right fingers in your left palm and rub in rotating motions, and vice versa.
• Rinse your hands under running water.
• Dry your hands thoroughly with a paper towel.
• Use the paper towel to turn off the water.

Hand sanitizer (alcohol-based)

• Total time: 20-30 seconds
• Apply enough hand sanitizer to cover both hands.
• Rub your palms together.
• Rub the back of your right hand on the front of your left hand, including between the fingers, and vice versa.
• Rub your palms together with your fingers interlaced.
• Rub the backs of your fingers against the opposite palm, with fingers interlocked.
• Grasp your left thumb with your right hand and rub in rotating motions, and vice versa.
• Place your right fingers in your left palm and rub in rotating motions, and vice versa.
• When your hands are dry, they are clean.
• If your hands feel dry before 10-15 seconds have passed, you may have used too little hand sanitizer.