COMMITTEE ON FETUS AND NEWBORN

THE Committee on Fetus and Newborn and consultants met in Chicago, Illinois, on October 23, 1965, to consider the problem of decontamination of fomites in neonatal units to reduce the incidence of nosocomial infections. It was agreed that there is insufficient evidence available to make authoritative recommendations for uniform procedures to deal with problems of decontamination of incubators, bassinets, respirators, and other equipment used in present day neonatal facilities. However, the participants suggested that certain statements could be made at this time which would serve to stimulate the interest of those concerned with the management of neonatal units and to emphasize the need to obtain objective information for a satisfactory solution to the problems posed. Agreement was reached on the following statements: 1. Emphasis must be placed on cleansing and housekeeping procedures. Chemical disinfection is not a substitute for mechanical scrubbing and removal of dirt or organic matter. Moreover, organic matter inactivates many chemical disinfectants. 2. Manufacturers of equipment used in the newborn nursery must be encouraged to design equipment which can be easily cleaned and disinfected. Adequate cleansing of occupied incubators poses an almost insurmountable problem; ingenious engineering solutions are badly needed. Component pants of intricate devices should be removable for easier cleaning. Teflon coating of surfaces would ease mechanical cleansing. Nebulizing equipment should use air which has passed through a bacterial filter, sterile water from freshly opened bottles, and a closed system for delivery of water to the nozzle. Nebulizers should be designed for easy disinfection, preferably sterilization.