Hospital infections and hospital hygiene at Malmö General Hospital: 2. Hygienic measures and their correlation with the incidence of infection

Abstract

A hygienic programme, which has been developed and maintained during several years at a large Swedish university hospital, is presented in detail. The composition and working methods of the Infection Control Committee are described and some economic calculations given. The possible connexion between the hygienic measures and a marked decrease of the incidence of infections is discussed. This decrease did not occur until a satisfactory method for the routine hand disinfection had been introduced, using a commercial antibacterial cleaner containing 3% hexachlorophene.