title: Rationale and methods for a statewide, prospective surveillance system for the identification and prevention of nosocomial infections.
abstract: Review of current methods of surveillance for nosocomial infection indicates that prospective surveillance of patients on a daily basis is the most accurate and valid method. In this paper, we detail such a method. Samples of hospitalized patients for surveillance are based on a fixed period of observation in each patient-care area. Data are collected on a detailed, standardized daily log that emphasize the recording of primary clinical data. Such a system is practical and is acceptable to infection control practitioners. Representative samples of patients are obtained. The utility of such a system for identifying preventable risk factors for the development and evaluation of programs of prevention is being tested in 12 acute-care hospitals in Rhode Island.
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012237:Rhode Island; D012494:Sampling Studies