Infection and hospital hygiene

According to the  Robert Koch Institute (opens in a new tab), an estimated 400,000 to 600,000 patients in Germany contract hospital-acquired infections every year. These so-called "nosocomial infections" are infections caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi, for example. Some of these patient infections can be prevented or influenced.

The  Infection Protection Act (IfSG) (opens in a new tab)contains a number of provisions aimed at improving hygiene in hospitals and other medical facilities. The health authorities and other state health authorities can take measures to combat infections.

Healthcare facilities are therefore subject to infection hygiene monitoring by the health authorities. The facility can be inspected both on an ad hoc and routine basis. As a rule, the inspections are announced.

In Baden-Württemberg, the Ordinance of the Ministry of Social Affairs on  Hygiene and Infection Prevention in Medical Facilities (MedHygVO) (opens in a new tab) also applies. Accordingly, the responsible public health department must be informed about construction projects with relevance to infection hygiene before applying for a building permit.

The following have a duty to inform:

• Hospitals
• Facilities for outpatient surgery
• Preventive or rehabilitation facilities in which medical care comparable to that provided in hospitals is provided
• Dialysis facilities
• Day clinics

These medical facilities must have building projects professionally evaluated with regard to hygiene requirements before they are applied for or carried out. The assessment shall be submitted to the competent authority upon request.

Medical practices, dental practices and practices of other human medical professions in which only non-invasive procedures are carried out are not subject to the obligation to provide information. The health authority advises them on general questions of equipment.