NERS NEWS – In an effort to enhance family awareness regarding infection prevention for infants in the NICU/PICU, Professional Nursing students from the Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, organized a Hospital Health Education (PKRS) program for patients’ families. The event was held in the NICU/PICU family waiting area on May 15, 2026, from 09:30 to 10:00 AM WIB, utilizing informative leaflets and direct counseling for families waiting for their loved ones. The methods employed included a brief lecture and an interactive discussion on the critical importance of maintaining hygiene and adhering to visitation rules to prevent neonatal and pediatric infections.
This PKRS initiative aimed to raise families’ understanding of infection risks in hospitalized infants, whose immune systems are still immature and who often require invasive medical devices. The material covered comprehensive topics, including the definition of infection risks, modes of transmission, clinical signs of infection in infants, mandatory rules within the NICU/PICU, and practical prevention measures such as cough etiquette and the standardized 6-step handwashing technique.
The speakers strongly emphasized the importance of strictly adhering to hospital visiting hours, refraining from visiting when unwell (such as experiencing a cough, cold, or fever), and the strict prohibition against touching medical equipment—including incubators, ventilators, patient monitors, and IV lines—to keep the care environment sterile.
Additionally, families were educated on recognizing signs of infection in infants, such as fever or temperature instability, localized redness and swelling around medical device insertion sites, as well as respiratory and gastrointestinal disturbances. Through this PKRS program, it is envisioned that patients’ families will better understand the value of clean and healthy living behaviors (PHBS) and actively participate in preventing disease transmission in the NICU/PICU, ultimately safeguarding infant safety and outcomes.
Author: Group D1.2 Professional Nursing Pediatric Rotation, Universitas Airlangga
Editor: Farah Dina Azizatul Aulia (Airlangga Nursing Journalist)
