[Infection control in Norwegian somatic hospitals 1990]

The authors present results from a survey of infection control in Norwegian somatic hospitals, carried out during summer/autumn 1990. In 15 of 74 hospitals (20%) one of the hospital doctors was appointed as responsible for infection control. 35 hospitals (48%) had an infection control nurse. Only nine hospitals (12%) reported routine prospective surveillance of hospital infections. The survey revealed a clear under-utilization of commonly accepted methods to survey and prevent hospital infections. Many of the respondents stated the need for national guidelines for infection control. The health authorities should take the initiative to remedy this situation. A new law concerning secondary health care will be passed in the near future, requiring hospitals to establish effective quality assurance systems. Infection control is a very concrete example of quality assurance, and should be given priority when setting up quality assurance systems for hospitals.