Chun An Wu

Title: Standardization of Infection Control Protocols in a Postpartum Care Center: Impact on Staff Hand Hygiene Compliance and Neonatal Cluster Infection Rates

Background:
Postpartum care centers provide specialized residential care for mothers and newborns, a population particularly vulnerable to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Published literature and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines confirm that proper hand hygiene is the single most effective intervention to prevent cross-contamination. However, maintaining consistent adherence across different work shifts and staff roles remains a major practical challenge in non-hospital postpartum facilities.

Objectives:
To evaluate how implementing an evidence-based infection control standardization protocol affects staff hand hygiene compliance and neonatal cluster infection rates in a postpartum care center.

Methods:
Grounded in World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and the WHO Multimodal Hand Hygiene Improvement Strategy, we developed a standardized hand hygiene protocol. Key implementation steps included installing visual step-by-step guides at handwashing sinks, conducting shift-wide observation audits using the WHO 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene, and sharing monthly performance feedback with unit staff. We evaluated staff hand hygiene compliance rates and monitored neonatal cluster infection events by comparing data from a 3-month pre-implementation period (October–December 2025) with a 6-month post-implementation period (January–June 2026).

Results:
Staff hand hygiene compliance increased significantly from 81.2% before implementation to 96.5% after implementation, demonstrating steady improvements across both day and night shifts. During the 6-month post-implementation period (January–June 2026), zero neonatal cluster infection events occurred, successfully maintaining a 0% cluster infection rate.

Conclusions:
Standardizing infection control practices according to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations directly improves staff hand hygiene compliance and prevents neonatal cluster outbreaks. This practical operational framework provides a reliable, easy-to-implement method for nursing teams managing infection control in postpartum care settings.