inicc history
In 1998, Dr. Víctor Rosenthal joins the group of medical doctors in charge of drafting the National Infection Control Guidelines of the Infectious Diseases Society of Argentina (SADI). Once the guidelines had been published, he notices that, in the health-care centers where he is working as an infectious diseases doctor, Guidelines are not applied: “regulations on their own do not bring about changes in healthcare-workers’ behavior,” he said. Meanwhile, nosocomial infections are measured by means of the methodology based on the CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention de USA. When comparing rates with their American counterpart, he notices a difference of 5 to 1 above the American standard. From this fact is that the idea of implementing Process Surveillance to monitor compliance with Infection Control Guidelines evolves. On the other hand, healthcare workers claim that infections in patients are caused by risk factors. So, in addition, he also implements Outcome Surveillance, which would allow the detection of specific risk factors. Facing the negative resistance directors and managers had towards the applying this methodology, Dr. Rosenthal initiates the measurement of extra mortality, extra cost and other costs related to the extension of the length of hospital stay. Such was the birth of the concept of Cost-effectiveness of Nosocomial Infection Control, which would now generate the interest of healthcare facilities managers. |
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In 1999, there are significant improvements in the first results of the implementation of Outcome and Process Surveillance; that is, compliance with the Guidelines is associated to the reduction of NI rate. This methodology is offered and applied by Dr. Rosenthal in two hospitals, with encouraging results. |
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| In 2000, a third hospital joins the Surveillance Process. Results are published in peer reviewed journals and presented in scientific meetings. |
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| In 2002, Dr. Rosenthal is invited to give a presentation on this topic in Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Peru and Turkey. In all of these countries, healthcare workers asked to be trained in this methodology, whereas the Health Department of Bogota, Colombia, and the Under Secretary for Innovation and Quality of Mexico require his assistance and counseling. This is the year in which INICC emerges as an International Network, with the participation of Mexico, the first country to report data from its hospitals and healthcare centers. |
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| In 2003, training and information activities intensify around the world, in response to increasing requests received as the Infection Control Program is made known. The INICC methodology is disseminated and continues to be made increasingly known worldwide. Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Turkey join INICC. |
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In 2004, India and Morocco join INICC. |
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| In 2005, the Joint Commission International invites INICC to present data and share their presentation with representatives of IFIC and WHO, two organizations that offer INICC to work in alliance with them to support Infection Control and Surveillance in hospitals of countries with limited resources. Dr Rosenthal stars to work as a WHO Infection Control Guidelines reviewer. The Philippines and Croatia join INICC. |
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| In 2006, INICC’s first multicentric study is published in the peer reviewed journal “Annals of Internal Medicine”, placing itself as the world standard for the developing countries. This year the INICC Board is established. Pakistan, Kosova and Macedonia join INICC. |
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| In 2007, the genesis of FLIN, Foundation Against Nosocomial Infections, starts, with the aim to support INICC’s scientific activities. Uruguay, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Lebanon, Nigeria and Cuba join INICC. |
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