A business meeting was held during the IFIC congress in Venice, with about 20 participants, chaired by Dr W Popp. The board report was presented . It was noted that the SIG will require a new secretary as Ulrika Ransjö plans to retire from the SIG within 2012.

The new “Recommendations for prevention of airborne infection” were presented and briefly discussed; and formed the basis for a well attended workshop on October 14. The workshop consisted of a short lecture by Shaheen Mehtar (author of the recommendations), followed by three cases concerning the design of an airborne isolation room in low, medium and high income settings. Several new ideas were brought forward and will be considered for incorporation in the recommendations. Important points were:

• changing the title of the Ideal column, to clarify that this concerns only some high-income countries
• the problems and lack of documentation re ultra-violet light

 After editing and after approval by the IFIC board, the document will be published on the IFIC website.

Additional , remaining further topics for recommendations are

• Water supply, bathrooms, showers in hospitals (Silvio Brusaferro)
• Endoscopy units (Lena Nilsson and Tina Bradley), draft will come in May 2012 at the latest.

 Several new proposals for future topics were made:

• Construction needs for non-professional caregivers (Shaheen Mehtar). This may call for a revision of the Recommendations for design of a ward.
• Sterilisation unit (Walter Popp)
• Maternity and delivery rooms (Mary Caitlin, who joined the SIG and is chairing the SIG Safe childbirth, promised to find someone responsible)

 The members of the SIG are encouraged to make additional proposals or join one of the topics above.

Walter Popp will attempt to establish some internet discussion forum regarding questions or solutions of construction problems that the group members may have within their healthcare facility. The need for this has become apparent during the e-mail correspondence between group members.

Notes from the business meeting of the IFIC Special Interest Group