The development of infection control in Italy

A coordinated national program for the control of Hospital Infection (H.I.) was started in 1981 in Italy as a result of growing interest in many fields of public health. The first three years of the program provided greater awareness of the problem on a national scale. The survey showed that out of 38,000 patients, 6.8% developed a hospital acquired infection. Hospitals as well as research institutions responded with studies, periodical surveys and incidence surveys--some of which were on a national scale. One national incidence survey in intensive care units showed a 30% H.I. incidence rate from 6,000 patients. A five year research fund from the National Research Council provided for the study of H.I. by 18 different research groups. There have been several initiatives regarding presentation and control, such as two national guideline regulations made by the Minister of Health for the establishment of H.I. Control Committees in each hospital. Infection Control Nurses have been identified as key persons for the surveillance program. Two hospital schools have started a one-year, 700-hour course for Infection Control Nurses. The first 50 nurses graduated in June 1988. Health officials have agreed that prevention of hospital infection is feasible, and have mandated for a two year experimental prevention project for the Italian region, coordinated by the National Institute of Health. The project is called PRINOS, and the preliminary results are presented.