[The introduction of ICD, ICN in Japan, and future expectations]

Abstract

Infection Control Doctor(ICD) and Infection Control Nurse(ICN) are known as specialist in infection control. In Western countries Infection Control Teams have already been organized under Hospital Infection Control Committees, and ICDs and ICNs have been deployed in them and actively participate in them. The organizations and personnel that should cope with hospital infections in this manner cannot be said to be sufficient in Japan, and there is an urgent need to train specialists for infection control. Accordingly, in 1999 an ICD accreditation system was inaugurated, principally by the Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases and the Japanese Society of Environmental Infections, and in 2000 the Japanese Nursing Association inaugurated an ICN accreditation system in the form of accredited nurses. This paper describes the introduction of ICD and ICN in Japan, future expectations, and associated problems.