Infection control: the case for horizontal rather than vertical interventional programs

Int J Infect Dis. 2010 Oct:14 Suppl 4:S3-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2010.05.002. Epub 2010 Sep 18.

Abstract

The authors define two types of infection control interventions: horizontal, in which all infections at any site are reduced; and vertical, in which only specific organisms are targeted. We suggest that horizontal programs should form the platform of all infection control programs and the key question should be, what is the incremental value of a new vertical program?

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Communicable Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Communicable Diseases / drug therapy
  • Communicable Diseases / epidemiology
  • Communicable Diseases / microbiology
  • Cross Infection / drug therapy
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology
  • Cross Infection / microbiology
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control*
  • Evidence-Based Medicine / methods*
  • Humans
  • Infection Control / methods*
  • Infection Control / standards
  • Mass Screening / methods*
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Staphylococcal Infections / diagnosis*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Staphylococcal Infections / epidemiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / prevention & control