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Susan Pelke, RN; Donna Ching, MD; David Easa, MD; Marian E. Melish, MD

Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1994;148(10):1016-1020.

Abstract
Objective
To study the effect of gowning in a neonatal intensive care unit on colonization patterns, necrotizing enterocolitis, respiratory syncytial virus and other infections, mortality, and traffic and handwashing patterns.

Methods
Alternate 2-month gowning and no-gowning cycles were established in a 24-bed level III neonatal intensive care unit for 8 months, with respiratory site, umbilical, and stool surveillance cultures done weekly on all patients. Traffic flow and handwashing compliance were evaluated by direct observation.

Results
Demographic data did not differ between periods. There were no significant differences between the gowning and no-gowning periods in the rates of bacterial colonization, any type of infection, or mortality. There was no effect on traffic flow or handwashing compliance.

Conclusion
Gowning in the neonatal intensive care unit is an unnecessary custom without benefit in neonatal colonization, infection rates, mortality, traffic patterns, and handwashing behavior.

(Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1994;148:1016-1020)

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Pediatrics, Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu.

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