title: [Role of the independent microbiology laboratory in supporting infection control programs in small to mid-sized hospitals].
abstract: With the revision of the Medical Service Law in 2006 by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), all healthcare institutions are now required to implement a healthcare risk management program including infection control program. At a national level, an infection control surveillance program (JANIS) was implemented in July 2007. Regular weekly, monthly, and yearly infection control surveillance reports from independent microbiology laboratories can make significant contributions to infection control programs in small to mid-sized hospitals; furthermore, such programs are consistent with the framework of the MHLW's objective of strengthening risk management in healthcare institutions. Against the backdrop of current efforts to improve risk management, independent laboratories can make a significant contribution. Independent laboratories must play a role beyond merely receiving and processing specimens for microbiological examination. In addition to generating results for patients, hospital epidemiological data that contribute to local infection control programs must be a value-added component of the service. A major obstacle for independent laboratories to make a significant contribution to risk management is the current reimbursement system, which makes it economically impossible for independent laboratories to support infection control programs in healthcare institutions.
authors.affiliation: Miroku Medical Laboratory, Inc., Saku 384-2103, Japan. h-yanagisawa@miroku-lab.co.jp
authors.forename: Hideji
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yanagisawa
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006742:Hospital Bed Capacity; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D007564:Japan; D007753:Laboratories; D008829:Microbiology; D020416:Outsourced Services; D024382:Professional Role; D017751:Safety Management