title: Minimum requirements in infection control.
abstract: Infection control (IC) activities are facing new challenges, but the resources dedicated to IC are too frequently insufficient. Heterogeneity of resources among centres and countries is huge, a fact that at least partly explains the differences in the results obtained. In this article, we review and discuss the available recommendations for minimum requirements in IC related to organizational aspects, IC staffing and the training of these staff, ward staffing, structural issues, and microbiological support. A professional-based consensus on the minimum requirements for IC in European centres based on present challenges and societal demands is needed.
authors.affiliation: Unidad Clínica Intercentros de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Microbiología y Medicina Preventiva, Hospitales Universitarios Virgen Macarena y Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain; Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain. Electronic address: jesusrb@us.es.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Baño
authors.affiliation: Unidad Clínica Intercentros de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Microbiología y Medicina Preventiva, Hospitales Universitarios Virgen Macarena y Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain; Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: del Toro
authors.affiliation: Unidad Clínica Intercentros de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Microbiología y Medicina Preventiva, Hospitales Universitarios Virgen Macarena y Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain; Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: López-Méndez
authors.affiliation: Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: N T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Mutters
authors.affiliation: Unidad Clínica Intercentros de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Microbiología y Medicina Preventiva, Hospitales Universitarios Virgen Macarena y Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain; Departamento de Microbiología, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pascual
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D005060:Europe; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards*
keywords: Competencies; cross-infections; healthcare workers; infection control; quality assessment; staffing