Nosocomial infection control activities in Thailand 1989
Pannarunothai, S.
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand 75(Suppl 2): 31-34
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-2208 PMID: 1402497 Document Number: 329284
Nosocomial infection control activities were initiated in Thailand in 1982, but have suffered from a shortage of manpower and lack of administrative support. The HIV epidemic, however, points to the need to strengthen hospital infection control. This study was, therefore, conducted to assess the current state of infection control activities in general and regional hospitals. A questionnaire on hospital infection control was distributed to 17 regional, 69 general, and 3 community hospitals. 77 hospitals (87%) responded. All respondents had set up infection control committees; 74 hospitals had surveillance reports sent to the committees. Full- or part-time infection control nurses had been appointed in 84% of the hospitals. Further, doctors took part in infection control in 75% of hospitals; isolation units were available in 86%; and incinerators were installed in 13%. These results indicate that manpower and resources are insufficient for the effective control of nosocomial infections.