RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To study the practice of nosocomial infection (NI) control in district hospitals. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Descriptive study using questionnaires and group discussion. RESULTS: From February-March 2002, five district hospitals in the northern region of Thailand were randomly enrolled. All members of the infection control committee (ICC) were included and data were available from 71 members (85.0%). Infection control activities were done by members of the ICC. The NI control program was designed by the Ministry of Public Health. Due to limited resources and suboptimal implementation, several defects in key elements for infection control were identified. Lack of competent personnel, inappropriate practices and lack of administrative support were the important barriers to good practice. CONCLUSION: Lack of competent personnel and inappropriate work instructions were identified. A review of a NI control program in district hospitals is needed.