Nosocomial infections and risk management

: Nosocominal infections have been increasing due to the complexity of treatment modalities, more numerous admissions of elderly persons from nursing homes, and readmission of the patients with implanted devices. It is mandatory to have risk management systems in place in Japan to improve the quality of medical practice and also to avoid unexpected morbidity and mortality. This paper discusses the importance of surveillance for infection, control of infectious outbreaks, guidelines for antimicrobial usage, and protection of healthcare workers.