Infrastructure and requirements of hospital infection control in 10 countries in Southeast Europe

Abstract

ISSUE: Having already established a regional network among hospital infection control professionals in countries in Southeast Europe (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, UNMI Kosovo, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Romania, and Slovenia), a needs assessment was necessary, and we conducted a survey among these countries. PROJECT: The purpose of the survey was to identify strengths and needs among the 10 countries to optimize resources. The 26-question English-language survey tool (based on INSPEAR and ARMed-HARMONY questionnaires) was prepared by three of us, reviewed by experienced members in the network, and field tested for reader comprehension. Responses from infection control (IC) leaders in each country were compiled and analyzed and reported back to the network. RESULTS: Existing IC programs, locations, content, and practices, as well as plans for the future in all 10 countries were identified. Eight countries had state regulation of hospital infection control, and six had hospital regulation (or only hospital regulation). Nine countries had hospital infection control doctors (mostly microbiologists) and nurse (or laboratory or sanitary technician). Seven had infection control committees in their hospitals. Nine had national or hospital guidelines, and six required reporting infection rates to the ministry of health. Five had a national IC society, but only 4 had basic education for infection control nurses organized, while 6 had continuing education courses. As far as future plans, eight countries had education implementation or improvement plans, seven were starting national surveillance, five were writing national guidelines, and some countries had plans for other different issues in hospital infection control (updating regulations, starting national journal, implementing antibiotic policy, etc.). LESSONS LEARNED: The result of a questionnaire showed us that all 10 countries had at least some form of hospital infection control program. Some countries had very advanced programs, some were in the beginning of organizing, and some had only parts of those programs very well developed. The primary future plans were improvement of education and starting national surveillance, and so we have decided to proceed with collaborative education and surveillance of surgical site infections. ISSUE: Having already established a regional network among hospital infection control professionals in countries in Southeast Europe (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, UNMI Kosovo, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Romania, and Slovenia), a needs assessment was necessary, and we conducted a survey among these countries. PROJECT: The purpose of the survey was to identify strengths and needs among the 10 countries to optimize resources. The 26-question English-language survey tool (based on INSPEAR and ARMed-HARMONY questionnaires) was prepared by three of us, reviewed by experienced members in the network, and field tested for reader comprehension. Responses from infection control (IC) leaders in each country were compiled and analyzed and reported back to the network. RESULTS: Existing IC programs, locations, content, and practices, as well as plans for the future in all 10 countries were identified. Eight countries had state regulation of hospital infection control, and six had hospital regulation (or only hospital regulation). Nine countries had hospital infection control doctors (mostly microbiologists) and nurse (or laboratory or sanitary technician). Seven had infection control committees in their hospitals. Nine had national or hospital guidelines, and six required reporting infection rates to the ministry of health. Five had a national IC society, but only 4 had basic education for infection control nurses organized, while 6 had continuing education courses. As far as future plans, eight countries had education implementation or improvement plans, seven were starting national surveillance, five were writing national guidelines, and some countries had plans for other different issues in hospital infection control (updating regulations, starting national journal, implementing antibiotic policy, etc.). LESSONS LEARNED: The result of a questionnaire showed us that all 10 countries had at least some form of hospital infection control program. Some countries had very advanced programs, some were in the beginning of organizing, and some had only parts of those programs very well developed. The primary future plans were improvement of education and starting national surveillance, and so we have decided to proceed with collaborative education and surveillance of surgical site infections.