[Role of microbiological technologists in infection control at small to medium-sized hospitals]

We performed a questionnaire survey in 42 institutions in the Hyogo region to understand the present status of microbiology laboratories in small or medium-sized hospitals. The results of the survey showed that 14 institutions with less than 300 beds had one or two microbiological technologists, who had to perform other inspectional duties in addition to the technologist's job. Such institutions lack ICD and ICN (Infection Control Doctors and Infection Control Nurses, respectively) facilities, so various consultations and inquiries regarding hospital-acquired infection were directed to the microbiology laboratory. In this context, technologists in these institutions felt the need to build a local network among laboratories. In recent years, many regional networks have been built across Japan, including the Hyogo region. Microbiological technologists of small or medium-sized hospitals actively participate in such networks, which is necessary for the future prevention of hospital-acquired infection.