Isolation needs and control of infection in NZ hospitals

The purpose of this paper is to discuss infections in New Zealand hospitals under two headings: 1. Isolation needs. 2. Control of infection as it pertains to prophylaxis. An assessment of modern needs in terms of numbers of isolation beds is made on the basis of present-day infections. Brief reference is made to the epidemiology of hospital infections and to the principles of isolation according to categories of infection -- the Card System -- and to specification of the facilities required. The importance of a Control of Infection Nurse is emphasised and suggested members of a Control of Infection committee are enumerated. The proposed methods for preventing and dealing with infections apply particularly to base hospitals. It is hoped however that the principles enunciated are sufficiently obvious that they can be readily adapted to smaller community hospitals. It is concluded that all New Zealand hospitals should have a formal control of infections system instituted.