ABSTRACT
This study aimed to investigate the problem of hospital acquired wound infection [HAWI] in nizwa referral hospital [NRH]. All patients admitted to NRH during the period of the study and were subjected to various clean surgical procedures constituted the target population. Surveillance of patients, hospital staff, operating theatres and wards were done using different methods. Out of 120 patients, 28 [23.3%] got their wounds infected after operations. Patients in the maternity ward recorded the highest incidence rate of HAWI [38.9%] while the lowest rate recorded was in the female ward [7.1%]. The infected patients stayed in the hospital a slightly longer period than the control group [8.96 +/- 1.58 and 7.92 +/- 2.15 days respectively]. The study revealed also that 7.9% of the hospital staff in direct relation with those patients were carriers of different pathogenic microorganisms. The commonest causative microorganism detected was staphylococcus aureus being isolated in 75% of the swabs taken from both patients and hospital staff. Acinobacter, diphteroids and pseudomonas species were detected also when detected also when surveying the three operation theatres in NRH. Regarding the application of some infection prevention and control measures by hospital staff in hospital wards, the female ward staff were the only to apply perfectly all the measures. In conclusion, hospital staff and environment as well as personal hygiene habits of patients play a major role in the occurrence of acquired infection in Nizwa hospital