Überwachung der Durchführung infektionshygienischer Maßnahmen durch die Gesundheitsämter

What rights do health authorities have when monitoring infection hygiene regulations and the persons entrusted with them?

The health authorities advise and monitor the implementation and compliance with hygiene regulations in hospitals, outpatient surgery facilities, day clinics, medical practices, dental practices and practices of other human medical professions in which invasive procedures are performed. The same applies to preventive or rehabilitation facilities where medical care comparable to hospitals is provided. (ambulance services, rescue services, naturopaths, podiatrists and tattoo, piercing and permanent make-up studios). In addition, the infection hygiene monitoring of the health authorities takes place in community facilities, for example in day-care centres and schools, in homeless shelters and in facilities for the accommodation of asylum seekers. In addition, facilities and plants for drinking water supply and for the treatment of wastewater are affected.

The fees for the services of the health authorities are based on the fee schedule of the MSGIV.

Violations may constitute criminal or administrative offences.

Health authorities check regularly and on a case-by-case basis

The activities of the health department include, among other things, advising the facilities, regular routine monitoring, inspections due to complaints or special questions, assessment of construction plans.

In the case of infection hygiene monitoring by the health authority, advice is in the foreground. The inspection is carried out in random samples, in very rare cases citizens' indications of hygienic deficiencies are the reason for an inspection.

Contents of the consultation by the health authority are the design of the hygiene plan, the use of suitable disinfectants, but also the safe handling of medical products from an infection hygiene point of view.

The purpose of infection hygiene monitoring is to prevent communicable diseases in humans, to detect infections at an early stage and to prevent their spread. Components are the infection hygiene monitoring of medical facilities and community facilities as well as of companies and plants for water and wastewater treatment.