title: [Integrated approach to nosocomial infection surveillance and control: an experience in Piedmont region].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the "focus group" methodological approach to hospital infection surveillance and control, beginning from a quantitative analysis of laboratory data.
  
  
  METHODS
  epidemiological prevalence analysis of current data and formulation of operational proposals by means of qualitative analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Microbiological surveillance based on microbiology laboratory frequency data using MS Access software. Qualitative analysis with the focus group method, involving the Hospital Infection Control Committee too.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the Hospital studied, microbiological analysis highlighted a significant presence of alert microorganisms indicating problems of antibiotic resistance, mainly in some operating units. Owing to the severity of the situation, we experimented a multidisciplinary organizational procedure that allowed us to intervene.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Microbiological surveillance remains a fundamental instrument for measuring the presence of alert microorganisms in hospital environments: however, in order to deal with this problem effectively and to improve the quality of assistance, it is important to combine qualitative analysis. This approach, through the active participation of all the professions involved, allows a holistic vision of the problem and permits integrated solutions.
authors.affiliation: Corso di Laurea in Infermieristica, Università degi studi di Torino, sede di Asti, and Dirigente Medico SOC Pneumologia, Ospedale Cardinal Massaia, Asti, Italy.
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stobbione
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mastinu
authors.forename: Lorena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Charrier
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bernini
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zotti
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; D006801:Humans; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012189:Retrospective Studies