Visions for the future

I have discussed, from my vantage point as a public health specialist, areas for emphasis in control and prevention of nosocomial infections. Surveillance is the key to all control and prevention programs. With the constraints of resources and increasing responsibilities, infection control personnel have to be innovative, inventive, and imaginative in their approach to surveillance. The principles of epidemiology may be overlooked in the rush to perform. Epidemiology is a valuable science; it is being applied to an increasing number of problems inherent to hospitals. The community and the hospital are closely related in regard to nosocomial infections. There is constant two-way traffic of both people and bugs that can be properly addressed through cooperative action. The international arena may not have a great impact on each of you, but collectively, APIC has much to offer to developing countries. We should support with actions those countries that are becoming concerned over nosocomial infections. Regardless of your own priorities, there will be new and significant challenges to all practitioners of infection control, challenges related to new and currently unidentified problems, and unfortunately, fewer resources with which to meet the challenges. I congratulate APIC, its officers, and members on all you have done to focus attention and intellect on the problem of nosocomial infections. A humble beginning has been extremely productive by all possible criteria, especially by imitation, which is "the highest form of praise."