The rationale for a quality standard for infection control in Swiss hospitals

The incidence of nosocomial infections is one of the most important quality indicators in health care. It increases the economical burden, augments mo rbidity, lengthens hospital stay, and is associated with a high mortality r ate. infection control programs are designed to minimize such adverse event s. An effective infection control program can reduce the incidence of nosoc omial infections by over 30%. It is regarded as among the most cost-efficie nt medical interventions available in modern public health. The national law for health insurance (KVG) makes quality in health care al so a legal issue. This law enforces quality assurance on a scientific basis . In Switzerland there are no national guidelines to define the nature and ex tent of infection control in health care institutions as in many other Euro pean countries. In the United States quality standards are part of accredit ation of any health care institution. Evaluating scientific evidence and international experience this article pr ovides the rationale for a quality standard for infection control in Swiss hospitals. It features three general rules and five elements of structural quality. The recommendations are: (1) Every hospital must have a system to control n osocomial infection in patients, care givers and visitors. (2) This program consists of defined elements of structural quality. (3) The program is per manently being improved in its quality. The basic elements are: (1) infection control committee, (2) infection cont rol team, (3) guidelines, (4) surveillance, (5) infrastructure. The feasabi lity and impact of this standard has to be evaluated.