The Italian National Research Council and hospital infections

In 1983 the Italian National Research Council funded a project specifically focused on Hospital infection control. The main objectives were to describe the epidemiological pattern of hospital-acquired infections; to evaluate different control measures and preventive strategies. The general frame and research issues of the project are discussed in this paper. The main research areas of the project were: urinary tract infections; infections in surgery; intensive care units/high risk patients; microbiological aspects; e) education programs.