Feeding back surveillance data to prevent hospital-acquired infections

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Robert Gaynes, Emory University; C. Richards, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; J. Edwards, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; T. G. Emori, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; T. Horan, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; J. Alonso-Echanove, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Scott Fridkin, Emory University; R. Lawton, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; G. Peavy, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; J. Tolson, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Language: English
• Date: 2001-03-01
• Publisher: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: Articles from Emerging Infectious Diseases are provided here courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid0702.010230
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Emerging Infectious Disease
• ISSN: 1080-6040
• Volume: 7
• Issue: 2
• Start Page: 295
• End Page: 298
• Keywords: Immunology; Infectious Diseases; SURGICAL WOUND-INFECTION; RISK; SYSTEM; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Science & Technology; REPORTING NOSOCOMIAL INFECTIONS; DISCHARGE; EPIDEMIOLOGY; CARE
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Epidemiology; Health Sciences, Public Health; Biology, Microbiology

Abstract

We describe the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance system. Elements of the system critical for successful reduction of nosocomial infection rates include voluntary participation and confidentiality; standard definitions and protocols; identification of populations at high risk; site-specific, risk-adjusted infection rates comparable across institutions; adequate numbers of trained infection control professionals; dissemination of data to health-care providers; and a link between monitored rates and prevention efforts.