title: [Nosocomial surveillance--compass for infection control].
abstract: The authors, after defining basic concepts, make the case that nosocomial surveillance is an indispensable tool without which up-to-date infection control is impossible. They provide an overview of the nosocomial surveillance practices in many countries in Europe and overseas, comparing their methods, results and protocols, keeping in mind cost effectiveness and quality assurance considerations. The authors' view is that in Hungary two kinds of nosocomial surveillance programs should be established: 1. There should be reliable surveys to follow up the incidence of nosocomial infections. Without such data any national infection control strategy is at best uncertain. Obtaining this information is mostly in the interest of the government. Procedures should be coordinated from a central office, financial backing for the surveys should be provided, and the personal and institutional infrastructure should be built up in a consensual manner, with much care and technical expertise, relying on domestic and foreign experience. 2. Each institution should decide, based on their current goals, which selective nosocomial surveillance method is most appropriate for a given occasion. This decision should be voluntary and government regulation of these activities would be counterproductive.
authors.affiliation: Magyar Infekciókontroll Egyesület.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kende
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Böröcz
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D014481:United States