# Law No. 9431 of January 6, 1997 > Brazilian law **Wikidata**: [Q105647759](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105647759) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-9431-of-january-6-1997 ## Summary Law No. 9431 of January 6, 1997, is a Brazilian federal statute that mandates the establishment and maintenance of Hospital Infection Control Programs (PCCI) in all hospitals across the country. It was officially enacted to prevent and control healthcare-associated infections, ensuring safer medical environments. ## Key Facts - **Official Title:** Lei nº 9431, de 6 de janeiro de 1997 - **Country of Origin:** Brazil - **Date of Publication:** January 6, 1997 - **Place of Publication:** Brasília - **Promulgated By:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil under President Fernando Henrique Cardoso - **Legal Digest:** "DISPÕE SOBRE A OBRIGATORIEDADE DA MANUTENÇÃO DE PROGRAMA DE CONTROLE DE INFECÇÕES HOSPITALARES PELOS HOSPITAIS DO PAÍS" - **Main Subject Areas:** Determination, government program, creation, control, commission, maintenance, legal norms, goal, obligation - **Applies To Jurisdiction:** Brazil - **Language of Work or Name:** Brazilian Portuguese - **Legal Citation Format:** Lei nº 9431/1997 - **Instance Of:** Statute - **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1997-01-06;9431 - **Full Text Available At:** [Planalto Website](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l9431.htm) - **Classified Under:** WikiProject Brazilian Laws ## FAQs **What is the purpose of Law No. 9431 of January 6, 1997?** The law establishes the mandatory implementation of Hospital Infection Control Programs (PCCI) in all hospitals throughout Brazil. Its primary objective is to reduce the incidence of healthcare-associated infections through structured prevention and control measures. **Who approved Law No. 9431 of January 6, 1997?** It was promulgated by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil on January 6, 1997, under the administration of President Fernando Henrique Cardoso. **What legal framework does this law belong to?** This law is part of Brazil's federal legislative system and falls under the category of public health legislation. It is classified as a statutory legal document, specifically an act passed by the National Congress and signed into law. **What are the main components addressed in the law?** The law addresses the creation, regulation, and maintenance of infection control programs in hospitals. It emphasizes legal obligations, defines goals for infection control, and establishes norms for compliance. **Is this law still in effect today?** Yes, Law No. 9431 remains in force and continues to be a foundational regulation for hospital hygiene and infection control standards in Brazil. **How is the law implemented across hospitals?** Hospitals in Brazil are required to establish and maintain a Hospital Infection Control Commission (CCIH) responsible for developing and overseeing infection control protocols. Non-compliance can result in penalties under health regulatory frameworks. ## Why It Matters Law No. 9431 of January 6, 1997, is a critical component of Brazil’s public health infrastructure. It mandates that all hospitals implement structured infection control programs, which are essential for preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) — a major global public health concern. By institutionalizing these practices, the law contributes to reducing patient morbidity and mortality, improving healthcare quality, and aligning Brazilian medical practices with international standards. Its enforcement has had a lasting impact on hospital management and patient safety protocols across the country. ## Notable For - **Mandating Infection Control Programs:** It is one of the first comprehensive legal frameworks in Brazil requiring all hospitals to implement structured infection control programs. - **National Scope:** Applies to all hospitals across Brazil, ensuring a standardized approach to infection control. - **Legal Enforcement of Public Health Measures:** Transforms best practices in infection control into enforceable legal obligations. - **Integration with Healthcare Policy:** Aligns with broader public health goals and supports the Ministry of Health’s initiatives in patient safety. - **Historical Significance:** Represents a milestone in Brazilian healthcare legislation, emphasizing preventive care and institutional accountability. ## Body ### Legislative Context and History Law No. 9431 was enacted on January 6, 1997, during the presidency of Fernando Henrique Cardoso. It emerged from growing concerns about the prevalence of healthcare-associated infections in Brazilian hospitals and the need for standardized infection control practices. The law formalizes the obligation for hospitals to maintain a Hospital Infection Control Program (PCCI), which includes the creation of a dedicated commission (CCIH) to oversee these efforts. The law was published in Brasília and is part of Brazil’s federal legal corpus. It is cataloged under the LexML Brazil system with the ID `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1997-01-06;9431`, and its full text is available through official government resources. ### Legal Framework and Content The law’s official title is “Lei nº 9431, de 6 de janeiro de 1997,” and its full legal citation is “Lei nº 9431/1997.” The main subject of the law includes the establishment of legal obligations, the creation of infection control programs, and the definition of goals and norms for hospital compliance. The law’s digest, or summary, states: "DISPÕE SOBRE A OBRIGATORIEDADE DA MANUTENÇÃO DE PROGRAMA DE CONTROLE DE INFECÇÕES HOSPITALARES PELOS HOSPITAIS DO PAÍS." This translates to a requirement for hospitals to maintain infection control programs. ### Implementation and Enforcement The law applies to all hospitals in Brazil, requiring them to establish and maintain a Hospital Infection Control Commission (CCIH). This commission is responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring infection control protocols. The law integrates with broader public health policies and is enforced by the Ministry of Health and state health authorities. Non-compliance with the law can result in administrative sanctions, including fines or suspension of hospital operations, depending on the severity of the violation. The law is part of Brazil’s broader legal framework aimed at ensuring patient safety and healthcare quality. ### Classification and Metadata Law No. 9431 is classified as a "statute" and is part of the legal term or concept category. It is written in Brazilian Portuguese and is part of the public domain. It is included in the WikiProject Brazilian Laws, which tracks and organizes Brazilian legal documents for digital access and research. The law is associated with several structured data properties: - **Title:** Lei nº 9431, de 6 de janeiro de 1997 - **Country:** Brazil - **Publication Date:** 1997-01-06 - **Place of Publication:** Brasília - **Promulgated By:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil - **Instance Of:** Statute - **Applies To Jurisdiction:** Brazil - **Language Of Work Or Name:** Brazilian Portuguese - **Legal Citation Of This Text:** Lei nº 9431/1997 - **Work Available At URL:** [Planalto Website](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l9431.htm) ### Related Entities and Concepts - **Statute (Class):** Law No. 9431 is an instance of a statute, a formal written document that creates law. - **Brazil (Country):** The law is part of Brazil’s legal system and applies nationwide. - **Fernando Henrique Cardoso (Promulgator):** As President, he signed the law into effect. - **Hospital Infection Control Programs (Subject):** The law’s primary focus, these programs are now mandatory in all Brazilian hospitals. - **Public Health Legislation (Category):** The law falls under the broader category of public health legislation, aimed at improving patient outcomes and reducing infection rates. ### Impact and Legacy Since its enactment, Law No. 9431 has played a pivotal role in shaping infection control practices in Brazilian hospitals. It has contributed to a significant reduction in healthcare-associated infections and has positioned Brazil as a regional leader in hospital hygiene standards. The law’s emphasis on legal compliance ensures that infection control is not optional but a required element of hospital operations. ## References 1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1997-01-06;9431) 2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=9431&ano=1997&data=06/01/1997&ato=af6kXVU90MJpWT16e) 3. LexML Brasil