The prevention and control of hospital-acquired (nosocomial) infections is a team effort requiring the cooperation of the hospital epidemiologist, infection control practitioner, and members of the clinical microbiology laboratory. The clinical microbiology laboratory clearly plays a key role in the diagnosis of nosocomial infections and is consulted frequently to assist in the epidemiologic investigation of nosocomial infection problems. In addition to performing routine isolation and identification of nosocomial pathogens from clinical material, the microbiology laboratory must also: (a) participate fully as a member of the Infection Control Committee; (b) organize and report microbiological data relevant to infection control in a timely manner; (c) provide microbiological support for surveillance and other activities necessary for the investigation of infection control problems; (d) provide more detailed (subspecies) characterization of selected nosocomial pathogens as needed to help define an epidemic; (e) provide additional microbiological services, such as cultures of patients, hospital personnel, and the environment, as indicated in the context of an epidemiologic investigation; and (f) serve as a resource for microbiological training and education of hospital and infection control personnel. In this review, we will provide a brief summary of the importance of nosocomial infections, the organization and purpose of a hospital infection control program, and address specifically the role of the clinical microbiology laboratory in the prevention and control of nosocomial infections. [Journal of Turgut Özal Medical Center 1996;3(3):245-256]
Key Words: Nosocomial infection, infection control, rutin microbiology laboratory
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