title: Infection control in Polish medical wards--data from the PROHIBIT project.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nosocomial infections and the problem of their surveillance concern all patients, including patients treated in medical wards. The objective of the study was to ewaluate selected infection control practices in Polish medical wards in comparison with wards of European hospitals.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted by means of a standardized questionnaire fullfiled by a total of 506 wards, including 10 Polish, in 24 European countries, as a part of the PROHIBIT project.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median number of beds in Polish wards (PW) was 35 vs. 30 in European ones (EW), while the proportion of beds in single rooms in Poland were almost ten times lower than in Europe. The number of nurses employed in PW was similar to EW. In all PW alcohol-based handrub solutions were available in more than 76% points of care and it was better situation than in EW. Similar situation in PW and EW was observed in case of existence of written procedure of UTI and CDI prevention. Differences between PW and EW were observed in the manner of usage of close drainage system in catheterized patients and in consumption of alcohol-based handrubs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In Poland, selected component of infection control is a challenge for the future and its implementation and realization require increasing the awareness of both medical staff and the management of hospitals.
authors.affiliation: Chair of Microbiology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Różańska
authors.affiliation: Chair of Microbiology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków.
authors.forename: Jadwiga
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wójkowska-Mach
authors.affiliation: Chair of Microbiology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bulanda
authors.affiliation: Chair of Microbiology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków.
authors.forename: Piotr B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Heczko
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D006739:Hospital Administration / Q000379:methods*; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000458:organization & administration; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000517:prevention & control