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Prevention and Control of Nosocomial Infections in Spain: Current Problems and Future Trends

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Antoni Trilla*
Affiliation:
Infection Control Program, Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona Hospital Epidemiology and Health Services Research Unit Hospital Clinic, Universitat of Barcelona
Josep Vaqué
Affiliation:
Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology Unit, Hospital Vall d'Hebrón, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona
Jose Roselló
Affiliation:
Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology Unit, Hospital Vall d'Hebrón, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona
Montserrat Salles
Affiliation:
Infection Control Program, Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona Hospital Epidemiology and Health Services Research Unit Hospital Clinic, Universitat of Barcelona
Francesc Marco
Affiliation:
Infection Control Program, Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona
Andreu Prat
Affiliation:
Infection Control Program, Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona
Jose M. Bayas
Affiliation:
Infection Control Program, Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona
Maria Teresa Jimenez de Anta
Affiliation:
Infection Control Program, Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona
Miguel A. Asenjo
Affiliation:
Hospital Epidemiology and Health Services Research Unit Hospital Clinic, Universitat of Barcelona
*
Hospital Epidemiology and Health Services Research Unit, Hospital Clinic—Villarroel 170, 08036—Barcelona, Spain

Abstract

Spain is a state member of the European Union, with more than 180,000 hospital beds and 800 public and private institutions. Only 6.9% of our gross national product is devoted to health expenditures. All citizens receive free health care through the National Health System. This system has given increasing attention to the prevention and control of nosocomial infections since 1986. In this article, results of serial prevalence surveys of antibiotic use and resistance patterns of microorganisms isolated from nosocomial infections are discussed. The needs for future development of infection control and quality assurance training programs in Spain also are discussed. Overall, a clinically and epidemiologically oriented approach to infection control is preferred, with greater emphasis in the role of infection control practitioners and infection control committees.

Type
The International Perspective
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1996

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