title: Basics of surveillance--an overview.
abstract: Surveillance of nosocomial infections is the foundation of an infection control program. This article describes components of a surveillance system, methods for surveillance, methods for case-finding, and data sources. We encourage the epidemiology team to use this background information as they design surveillance systems that meet the goals of their individual institution's infection control program.
authors.affiliation: Veterans' Administration Lakeside Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pottinger
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Herwaldt
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Perl
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D011159:Population Surveillance