Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common entities in hospitals, accounting for about 40% of nosocomial infections. It is said that more than 80% of UTIs are associated with the use of catheters. The discharge opening of the Uro Bag, a type of urine storing bag, is alive with bacteria. The microorganisms can enter the bag and then bladder, causing UTIs. It can also be said that the longer the catheters are used, the greater the risk of catheter-related UTIs becomes. Furthermore, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureas, Serratia mareescensand other kinds of bacteria that have acquired the resistance to drugs are increasing. The incidence of mixed infections with different organisms are on the rise. Such being the present situation, to prevent UTIS we think that the proper management of urinary catheterization and right use of urethral catheters are of the primary importance. Those health providers who handle catheters frequently need to take every precaution against inadvertently acting as intermediaries in the incidence of nosocomial infectious diseases including catheter-related UTIs. Recently, we reviewed the prophylactic measures which had been taken by our hospital, assessed the findings using the checklist made by the Nosocomial Infection Prevention Committee. Later, we held a seminar and discussed the standardization of prophylactic measures. As a result, the assessment items which were rated low in June marked 100% in September and March. Thus, our efforts have led the hospital employees to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the need to watch out nosocomial infection constantly. For the guidance of employees, we included in the educational program on-the-job training, which proved to be helpful for the trainees to have imagery. To maintain the effect of infection prevention and to keep up the interest awakened in the hospital staff, the holding of seminars and meetings for reviewing on a regular basis are called for.

Nosocomial infection management is one of the most important subjects in terms of risk management in a hospital. To achieve the nosocomial infection management appropriately, both public relations and information gathering are important. When it comes to publicity, it is desirable that information is offered quickly and efficiently and the personnel are able to access the information easily anytime and wherever they are. As for information gathering, it is also important to collect the information concerning the nosocomial infection promptly, and to tell it quickly to infection management persons including infection control team members. The infection control committee of our hospital has engaged in both publicity and information gathering by using the committee web site established in the LAN of the hospital since January 2004. The web site carries notifications, organization chart, list of committee members, various manuals, guidance of educational activities, infection management, etc. It is also used for questions and answers, and gathering information concerning nosocomial infection. The number of times the web site was accessed was about 200 every month, and was considerable at night and on holidays. This method of using the web site seems to be useful to promote nosocomial infection management.
Nosocomial Infections ; Infection as complication of medical care ; Information gathering ; Local Area Networks ; Hospitals