In today’s healthcare landscape, patient safety is an absolute priority. Among the emerging roles dedicated to ensuring quality and prevention within healthcare settings, the Infection Control Link Nurse (ICLN) is taking on an increasingly central role. This healthcare professional serves as a bridge between the infection control team and frontline clinical staff.
The role of the ICLN was created in response to the need to enhance the effectiveness of infection prevention measures related to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), reducing clinical risk through widespread, continuous, and coordinated action within healthcare teams.
Who is the ICLN, and what do they do?
The Infection Control Link Nurse is a specially trained nurse who:
- promotes the adoption of best practices in hygiene, infection prevention, and control;
- supports the implementation of institutional protocols and international guidelines;
- monitors infection risks within clinical units, working closely with the infection control team;
- encourages ongoing staff education through awareness and training activities;
- contributes to the development of an organizational culture focused on safety and shared responsibility.
Why is this role important?
The ICLN plays a key role in driving cultural change within healthcare organizations, helping to engage every healthcare worker in the prevention process. In a context where HAIs present a major clinical and organizational challenge, having professionals capable of acting as change facilitators, building internal collaboration networks, and transferring knowledge to colleagues is crucial.
To meet this training need, the University of Parma, through its Healthcare Master’s programs, has launched the Advanced Training and Specialization Course for Infection Control Link Nurses (ICLN) — the first course in Italy specifically designed around this professional role.
The course provides:
- up-to-date theoretical and practical knowledge;
- tools for multidisciplinary work;
- insights into leadership, networking, and infection risk management.
