Guidelines for infection prevention and control in Germany: evidence- or expert-based?

Nosocomial infections (NI) are a major problem, and numerous measures are b eing recommended for preventing NIs in Germany. However, the evidence for t he efficacy of many currently recommended measures is incomplete or has bee n established for certain sub-groups of patients or specific conditions onl y. In view of this situation, it is necessary to improve the established me asures for preventing NIs. Since many procedures and components of infectio n control involve additional expenditure, their deployment can only be just ified if their efficiency has been demonstrated or is highly likely on the basis of rational considerations. (C) 1999 The Hospital Infection Society.