Tgnaz Philipp Semmelweis — Father of Obstetric Infection Prevention

Abstract

By the use of epidemiological methods Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis could elucidate connections and influencing factors in the spred of nosocomial infections. By observations he drew the right conclusions on the transmission of childbed fever. Through the implementation of hand disinfection and other preventive measures he drew the right consequences. In all of these aspects he was the absolut pioneer perhaps preceeding the later discovery of bacteria as pathogens of puerperal fever.
Semmelweis cognogted the fact of the sources of infection and also their respective vehicles, such as infected lesions of human beings and even the unclean hands of health-care personnel.
He also observed that weak organisms were specially susceptible to nosocomial infections.
In a way Semmelweis could be regarded as the founder of modern science-based hospital hygiene but he certainly can be regarded as the founder of obstetric infection prevention that allowed an impressive decreasing in the maternal death rate.