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Infection control programs in Italian hospitals.

Maria Luisa Moro¹, Nicola Petrosillo, Claudia Gandin

¹Agenzia Sanitaria Regione Emilia Romagna, Area di Programma Rischio Infettivo, Bologna, Italy.

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology

|February 6, 2004

Summary

Italian hospitals show suboptimal infection control programs, with low availability of infection control committees, physicians, and nurses. Surveillance and specific infection prevention policies are also lacking.

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Area of Science:

Healthcare Management
Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Public Health Policy

Background:

Infection control programs are crucial for preventing healthcare-associated infections.
Previous studies indicate variability in infection control program implementation globally.

Purpose of the Study:

To assess the current state of infection control programs in Italian public hospitals.
To identify the frequency and characteristics of implemented infection control measures.

Main Methods:

A nationwide survey was conducted in 2000 using a questionnaire.
The survey targeted teaching, research, and district hospitals across Italy.
Response rate was 80% from 428 participating hospitals.

Main Results:

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Only 50% of hospitals had an infection control committee, 43% an infection control physician, and 33% an infection control nurse.
Availability of these resources was higher in Northern/Central Italy and larger hospitals.
While 80% had general protocols, specific infection prevention policies were less common.

Conclusions:

The infrastructure for infection control in Italian public hospitals is underdeveloped compared to international standards.
Regional policies and hospital size influenced program implementation.
Further development of infection control programs is recommended.