[Integrated approach to nosocomial infection surveillance and control: an experience in Piedmont region].
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.
Stobbione
Tiziana
T
Corso di Laurea in Infermieristica, Università degi studi di Torino, sede di Asti, and Dirigente Medico SOC Pneumologia, Ospedale Cardinal Massaia, Asti, Italy.
Mastinu
Alessandro
A
Charrier
Lorena
L
Bernini
Luciano
L
Zotti
Carla
C
D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; D006801:Humans; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012189:Retrospective Studies