[Integrated approach to nosocomial infection surveillance and control: an experience in Piedmont region]

AIM OF THE STUDY: To describe the 'focus group' methodological approach to hospital infection surveillance and control, beginning from a quantitative analysis of laboratory data. Design of the study: epidemiological prevalence analysis of current data and formulation of operational proposals by means of qualitative analysis. MATERIALS AND 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.