The infection control team and quality control.

Abstract

Experience and research over the last twenty years has shown that an organised team approach is needed to reduce hospital acquired infection and prevent outbreaks. This team must be able to influence the behaviour of health care workers and can be compared with the work of quality control in an industry. Much more emphasis is now placed on the measurement of quality of care. The Japanese are to be commended for their 'quality circle' approach which has certainly changed the attitude of the rest of the world to the 'Made in Japan' label.