Aim. The aim of the study is to investigate the need for hospital infection control and prevention.
Background. Nosocomial infections are among the major health problems which increase mortality and hospital costs, especially in intensive care units. Successful control of nosocomial infections depends on recognition of hospital challenges in this issue.

Method. This study is an overview study. The keywords “hospital infection” and “ICU”, alone or together, with Persian equivalents were searched in websites such as Iranmedex, CINAHL, Scopus, Medline, Embase, SID, PubMed, Magiran and Irandoc.

Findings. Based on the findings, the main causes of nosocomial infections included multiple procedures and invasive diagnostic and therapeutic treatments, especially in ICUs. Compromised immune system, duration of hospitalization, absence of hospital surveillance reporting system, inappropriate disinfection and sterilization of equipment, inappropriate physical structure of ICU, non-cooperative managers and departments, and lack of knowledge of medical staff, especially physicians and nurses.

Conclusion. Identifying causes of hospital infections and the use of especial measures to promote safety and enhance quality of care in the treatment and prevention of these infections are necessary for a comprehensive and integrated controlling program.