Hospital Hygiene and Epidemiology

In accordance with legal requirements, the Epidemiology Clinic is mainly responsible for the following tasks: 

• Developing, implementing and monitoring a strategy for standard protective measures aimed at preventing the transmission of infectious germs and monitoring nosocomial infections.
• Implementing a strategy to combat epidemics.
• Monitoring hygiene-related aspects of hospital activities, such as building construction and alterations, activities in the Operating Theatre and other medico-technical sectors.
• Training and informing hospital staff about infection prevention measures.
• To carry out these various tasks, the Hospital Epidemiology and Hygiene Clinic works closely with the Medical Director, the Director of the Nursing Department and the Hospital Hygiene Committee.

Nosocomial infections complicate 5 to 10% of hospital admissions and are one of the most significant causes of serious adverse events occurring in hospital. The consequences are high mortality and morbidity, and prolonged and more costly hospital stays.

Preventing them is therefore a strategic priority for all institutions, both in terms of patients and public health authorities.

To carry out its preventive missions, the Hospital Epidemiology and Hygiene Clinic works in collaboration with all the hospital's departments.

Surveillance and prevention programs
The Epidemiology and Hospital Hygiene Clinic of the Erasme Hospital has implemented several epidemiological surveillance programs adapted to our institution. We also participate in national surveillance programs established by the Institute of Public Health.

National campaigns
Erasme Hospital participates in all federal initiatives concerning infection prevention (such as campaigns to promote hand hygiene, and initiatives of the federal hospital hygiene platform).

International studies
Concerned about the importance of controlling the consumption of antibiotics in the prevention of bacterial resistance to them, the Erasmus Hospital regularly participates in European research programs focused on nosocomial infections and their prevention.

Edition of recommendations and prevention procedures
The Epidemiology and Hospital Hygiene Clinic at Erasme Hospital publishes information documents or infection prevention procedures. These documents are available on the hospital intranet site or on request from Dr. Byl.

Continuing information and training
The Hospital Epidemiology and Hygiene Clinic provides you with various training and information tools (available on the intranet site or from Dr Byl).

Regional hospital hygiene platform - Brussels/Walloon Brabant
The Hospital Epidemiology and Hygiene Clinic coordinates the activities of the Brussels/Walloon Brabant Regional Hospital Hygiene Platform.

To learn about the activities of the Federal Platform and the various regional hygiene platforms, we invite you to visit the website (FPS) Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment.

Hygiene training
The Free University of Brussels co-organizes a Complementary Master in Hospital Hygiene in collaboration with UCL and ULg. This training is intended to train both doctors and public health nurses.

• Baudouin Byl, responsible doctor
• Huguette Strale, nurse coordinator