I would like to relate analysis to be related decision making for Dr Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis

NTRODUCTION

In 1847, Dr Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis upon resuming at the General Hospital Maternity Clinic in Vienna, observed that the difference in mortality of women and newborns from puerperal fever developed after childbirth between the first clinic and the second clinic was, in some cases, averagely three times higher. Although puerperal fever was common in Europe at that time, Dr Semmelweis observed that the medical explanations and other factors observed were not sufficient to explain the difference in these deaths.

He realized, after the death of a friend and colleague who was accidentally cut by a contaminated knife used for autopsy and developed the same feverish conditions observed in puerperal fever, that doctors may have been infecting women with cadaver particles at childbirth.

Dr Semmelweis advised all medical personnel in the clinic to wash their hands with chlorine liquid after conducting autopsies and other medical observations, this reduced the deaths considerably to 1.3% in 1847 from 11.4% in 1846.

His findings and conclusions were rejected by the medical community and only supported by a few doctors because they were seen to conflict with existing scientific theories and also suggested that doctors were responsible for the deaths by spreading puerperal fever; they did not believe something so simple as handwashing could be the solution. He was criticized, victimized, and eventually asked to leave the hospital. He detailed his findings from his research in a book a decade later, which was similarly ridiculed and rejected. Although he was determined and continued to argue his case in open letters to the opponents of his ideas, he was recognized for his findings after his death. It took decades before his idea was widespread, during this period, tens of thousands of women and newborns lost their lives.

ISSUES

The primary issue in this case is the rejection of the findings of Dr Semmelweis regarding the cause of the deaths from puerperal fever at the Vienna General Hospital. Despite proposing a simple solution, to curb the infections and deaths, his idea was rejected by the medical community, firstly because it was at odds with established scientific theories at the time and, secondly, because it also suggested doctors were causing and spreading puerperal fever, so his motives were therefore questioned. Thirdly because it was not believable that a simple thing as washing of hands with chlorine could eliminate the fever which has caused many deaths.

ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM

Based on the reasons of lack of scientific method that could have provided alternative measures to combating puerperal fever? Below are alternative measures that were also not considered after Dr Semmelweis had identified the problem, and obtained relevant information:

1. The reason for the overcrowding in the first clinic, which had no direct relationship between the number of admitted persons and mortality rates;2. Could the psychological effect of women who gave birth before male doctors been a cause?3. The reason why women who gave birth on the street were the least likely to develop childbed fever.4. Further investigation on cause of Dr Kolletschka's death whose finger was accidentally cut with a knife that was used during an autopsy. Kolletschka developed a feverish condition with symptoms much like the ones observed with puerperal fever5. The need for doctors to clean their hands withchlorine liquids in addition to washing their hands with soap before examining the women.

ACTION PLAN:

Raise awareness about the importance of hand hygiene and the prevention of Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) in healthcare settings.

Implement and enforce hand hygiene protocols in all healthcare facilities to reduce the transmission of pathogens.

Encourage and provide education and training to healthcare workers on the proper methods of hand hygiene and the transmission of HAI.

Conduct further research to identify other potential causes and risk factors of puerperal fever and other HAIs in healthcare settings.

Develop and promote evidence-based guidelines for the prevention and control of HAIs in healthcare settings.

SUMMARY:

Dr Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis observed that the difference in mortality of women and newborns from puerperal fever was higher in the first clinic compared to the second clinic and realized that doctors may have been infecting women with cadaver particles. He advised all medical personnel in the clinic to wash their hands with chlorine liquid after conducting autopsies, and this reduced the deaths considerably. However, his findings were rejected by the medical community, and it took decades before his idea was widespread. Alternative solutions were not considered, such as investigating the cause of Dr Kolletschka's death and the need for doctors to clean their hands with chlorine liquids in addition to washing their hands with soap before examining the women.

CONCLUSION:

Dr Semmelweis' discovery highlights the importance of evidence-based medicine and the need to embrace change in the face of new evidence. The rejection of his findings resulted in unnecessary deaths, and it is a lesson that healthcare providers should always be open to new ideas and best practices to provide the best care for their patients. Hand hygiene protocols should be strictly enforced in all healthcare settings to reduce the transmission of pathogens and prevent healthcare-associated infections. Further research and education are needed to identify other potential causes and risk factors of HAIs in healthcare settings and promote evidence-based guidelines for their prevention and control.