[Regional infection control network in limited resource hospitals]

There are many hospitals and clinics in Japan. However, a large number comprise small-scale facilities that do not have a specialist in the management of contagious diseases or bacteriological testing facilities. Although foundation hospitals such as university hospitals have the materials and human resources to provide measures to prevent infection from communicable diseases, taking such preventative measures is a huge burden on smaller institutions. Treatment in large hospitals differs from that in small and medium-sized institutions, and, in some cases, the two may not require the same measures. In the future it will be necessary to devise and implement measures to prevent the transmission of disease in various types of medical treatment facility according to their individual circumstances. This will require pre and post-graduate education concerning communicable diseases and measures for the prevention of their transmission, as well as utilizing a regional network for transmission prevention involving government and the private sector.