Looking for some hand hygeine policy input...

[NICURN29]

Hello!

We are currently looking at our evidence regarding the wearing of rings in the NICU by nurses and medical providers. Currently, we are allowed "nothing below the elbows" (so no rings, bracelets, watched, Fitbits, etc.). However, in trying to align our guidelines with those in other units of the hospital, we are reconsidering this and thinking of going back to allowing the wearing of one ring.

I was wondering if anyone would be willing to tell me what kind of rules you have regarding this in your NICU. If you don't allow rings and have some evidence for that practice, I would love to hear it. And if you do allow a ring and have some evidence for that practice, I would love that as well.

Thanks so much!

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Have you looked at any of the recommendations that may be provided by the National Association of Neonatal Nurses? I'm not a member since I'm not a NICU nurse, but my professional organization (AORN) does provide recommended guidelines as far as attire and other infection control practices.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

No clothing or jewelry (rings, watches, bracelets) below the elbow. Google Scholar has numerous NICU infection control articles

[babybums]

We can wear a plain wedding band without jewels. No artificial nails either.

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

Nothing below the elbow for our whole hospital.

[haunani, BSN, RN]

I'm in M/B, but since we frequently float to our SCN, we abide by their rules on this one. For us, one solid band is allowed. Anything with stones is not, as it will have areas for germs/dirt to collect that aren't easily cleaned by routine hand hygeine.

[karnicurnc, MSN, APRN, CNS]

Same as babybums, above, no rings with stones and no artificial nails. Plain wedding band is allowed.