European network to promote infection prevention for patient safety

Welcome

Towards a European network to promote infection prevention for patient safety

Following an invitation of the German Society for Hospital Hygiene (DGKH) to all IFIC members from Europe a meeting took place at the beginning of 2008 in Berlin.
Societies for infection prevention/control from 7 European countries took place. The primary aims discussed were:

• more network and co-operation on EU level is needed,
• infection prevention/control needs greater political influence and
• EU regulations may help to promote infection prevention/control on a national level.

Participants of the first meeting

The next meeting took place in Berlin in autumn of 2008 with representatives from 12 national societies. The “Berlin declaration” (paper of intentions) was developed which is signed up from 22 societies from 15 European countries until the end of 2009. During this meeting the MRSA situation in the different countries was presented and discussed.

Participants of the second meeting

The third meeting took place in June 2009 in Stockholm. The main topic for this meeting was the structure and process quality of infection prevention/control in the different countries.

There was another short meeting during the IFIC congress in Vilnius/Lituania in October 2009.

Future meetings

The next whole day meeting will be on Saturday, April 17, 2010 in Berlin and another halfday meeting most probably during HIS congress in Liverpool in October 2010.

The following opportunities and challenges have been identified:

• There are large resources of experience, knowledge, research skills, training opportunities, scientific and successful initiatives throughout Europe through existing national societies.
• It is necessary to recognise opportunities for working together, sharing and supporting each other be it at societal or individual level.

Within the network there is consensus to

• respect the values of histories, traditions, activities and remits of existing scientific and professional societies,
• leave each country to evolve at its own rate,
• create opportunities for effective in lobbying and advocating of HCAI’s at different governmental levels,
• create greater visibility within media, public awareness, professional and scientific arenas,
• offer availability of the network to ECDC, international institutions and other stakeholders.

At the end of 2009 a legal status of the network is under development.

New members are very much welcomed! Please contact us: info@infection-prevention.eu