[Infection control systems in the United States: its history and problems]

The purpose of this study is to review recent literature regarding the role of the infection control nurse in the United States. Recent relevant literature, published between 1982 and 1995, was selected by using a computerized literature search, cumulative index to nursing and allied health literature (CINAHL). Four major points in the development of infection control practitioners (ICPs) were identified from the literature review: (1) Since the late 1960s the number of ICPs had increased continuously, through the Center for Disease control training programs, and through training programs developed by members of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) at the national, regional and local chapter levels. (2) The ICPs became certified upon receiving satisfactory results on the infection of 2 years of work in the field of infection control, and then are authorized to use the title "CIC". The certification was valid for five years and is renewed after the ICP passed a re-examination. (3) Six duties of the ICP were identified: management, prevention, surveillance, identification, education, and research. (4) The cost of health care was constantly restructuring the health care delivery system in the United States. The ICPs also were influenced by these changes. New challenges facing ICPs today were, a) the integration of resources to be shared by infection control and quality assurance, b) the change of role from specialist to generalist, c) the expansion of their roles in the area of epidemiology.