Authors (including presenting author) :
Ng CW, Cheung HS, Lam KW, King J
Affiliation :
Obstetric and Gynaecology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Introduction :
Majority of women would experience certain degree of perineal laceration during vaginal birth, either from episiotomy or natural tears. One of the complication of perineal laceration is wound infection. A prospective observational study performed by the midwifery research workgroup of eight HA birth hospitals reveals that the units using normal normal saline in perineal cleaning has lowest infection rate. Our unit was using dilated antiseptic in perineal cleansing and the rate of wound infection was 4.9%, which is significantly higher than other hospitals
Objectives :
According to the study carried out the midwifery research workgroup of HA birthing hospital, the units using normal saline in perineal cleaning has lowest rate of wound infection. Other studies and international guideline suggested that there is no significance difference between using antiseptics and saline. Therefore, the objective of the project is to change the practice if using diluted antiseptics in perineal cleansing. We proposed that using normal saline in perineal cleansing dose not increase wound infection rate. The extra advantages of using normal saline include lower cost and less irritation to client
Methodology :
The purpose of the project was explained to all staff in the unit. Solution for perineal cleansing before delivery and suture was changed from diluted chlorhexidine ( mixture of sterile water and 0.015% chlorhexidine in a ratio of 1:1) to normal saline.
a standard date collection sheet was designed. All case with perineal wound was traced by phone follow up during the project period. The rate of wound infection was identified and compared with the before change of cleansing solution
Result & Outcome :
The rate of wound infection decrease from 4.9& to 2%
