How to Survey Nosocomial Infections

Many surveillance methods for nosocomial infections (NIs) have been put forward in the literature, and all have their advantages and disadvantages. Different surveillance methods are useful, depending on whether the objective of surveillance is only to increase sensitivity to infection control probl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Infection control and hospital epidemiology 2000-06, Vol.21 (6), p.366-370
Main Authors: Gastmeier, Petra, Sohr, Dorit, Just, Heinz‐Michael, Nassauer, Alfred, Daschner, Franz, Rüden, Henning
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Central venous catheterization
Cohort studies
Cross Infection - epidemiology
Cross Infection - etiology
Cross Infection - prevention & control
Epidemiology
Epidemiology. Vaccinations
General aspects
Hospital units
Humans
Incidence
Infection control
Infection Control - methods
Infections
Infectious diseases
Medical sciences
Nosocomial infection
Nursing
Population Surveillance - methods
Predisposing factors
Prevalence
Review
Risk Factors
Surveillance
Urethral catheterization
Urinary tract infections
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Summary:Many surveillance methods for nosocomial infections (NIs) have been put forward in the literature, and all have their advantages and disadvantages. Different surveillance methods are useful, depending on whether the objective of surveillance is only to increase sensitivity to infection control problems and to identify areas with possible infection control problems; to confirm a possible infection control problem through comparison with other units or departments; or to use surveillance data for identifying the sources of infections. Furthermore, time effectiveness is a major point in selecting the most appropriate method, particularly the method for case identification. In units or departments with a high level of NI, even highly timeconsuming surveillance methods may be ultimately timeeffective; in units or departments with a lower level of NI, the time‐effectiveness depends on the time necessary for case identification. Close liaison with staff in the units is a sine qua non for the success of all surveillance activities.
ISSN:0899-823X
1559-6834
DOI:10.1086/501774