* Semmelweis is known as the "father of infection control" for his groundbreaking work in preventing the spread of puerperal fever in hospitals.
* He observed that the incidence of puerperal fever was much higher in women who were delivered by doctors and medical students than in women who were delivered by midwives.
* He hypothesized that the fever was caused by "cadaveric particles" carried from corpses to patients by doctors and medical students who did not properly wash their hands before delivering babies.
* He introduced a mandatory handwashing protocol for doctors and medical students before examining patients and required them to wear clean clothes while attending deliveries.
* His pioneering work revolutionized obstetrical care and significantly reduced the risk of infection-related deaths in childbirth.
Joseph Lister (1827-1912)
* Lister is considered the founder of modern antiseptic surgery.
* He observed that surgical wounds often became infected, leading to the development of gangrene and sepsis.
* He conducted numerous experiments and hypothesized that microorganisms present in the air caused the infection.
* He introduced a carbolic acid spray to sterilize the operating room, instruments, and dressings.
* He implemented "Lister's principles" of antiseptic surgery, including the use of sterile gowns, gloves, and masks, thorough wound cleansing, and wound drainage techniques.
* His rigorous antiseptic methods drastically reduced the incidence of post-operative infections and greatly improved the outcomes of surgical procedures.
Florence Nightingale (1820-1910)
* Nightingale is known as the founder of modern nursing and a pioneer in infection control.
* She gained prominence during the Crimean War (1853-1856) for her remarkable success in improving the sanitary conditions of military hospitals and reducing the mortality rate among wounded soldiers.
* She advocated for proper ventilation, improved diet, regular handwashing, and strict hygiene practices to prevent the spread of disease.
* Her observations and statistical analysis highlighted the relationship between clean environments and reduced infection rates.
* Nightingale also emphasized the importance of nursing education and established the Nightingale Training School for Nurses in London, transforming nursing into a respected profession.