In recent years, the prevention of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) has become an essential priority for all advanced healthcare systems. The growing need for specialized professionals who can act as a bridge between healthcare management and care staff has made it necessary to establish an official, recognized training program aligned with the Italian regulatory framework.
The role of the Infection Control Link Nurse (ICLN), already present in many national and international clinical settings, has often operated without a formalized training pathway, leaving a significant gap between the required and certified competencies.
Thanks to the regulatory support provided by Ministerial Decree of July 27, 2000, Law 42/1999, and Law 251/2000, the University of Parma – within its Healthcare Master’s Programs – has designed and launched the Postgraduate and Advanced Training Course in Infection Control Link Nurse, the first of its kind in Italy.
Why was the ICLN Course created?
• To fill a training gap in the specialized education of professionals already working in healthcare settings;
• To provide a concrete response to the demand for certified competencies in infection control;
• To offer a structured, rigorous, and up-to-date training model, clearly distinct from the many non-accredited short courses currently available on the market.
The course is based on evidence-based competencies, combining theoretical and practical modules with the development of a project work or experiential internship, ensuring that learning is truly applicable in clinical contexts.
The Infection Control Link Nurse thus becomes a strategic figure in promoting patient safety, reducing the risk of infection, and disseminating high-quality care practices.