title: [Prevention of nosocomial infections: surveillance based on microbiological data].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the C. Poma Hospital of Mantua we have been using a system of continuous surveillance of nosocomial infections based on microbiological data for the past 4 years. This monitoring estimates the incidence of the microorganisms found in cultures, especially those at risk of causing nosocomial infections.
  
  
  METHODS
  Since June 2001 microbiological data have been registered using the Mercurio-Dianoema software and elaborated by means of Microsoft Excel in order to obtain information about isolated bacteria, especially those resistant to antibiotics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Surveillance in "critical" wards revealed the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans in the intensive care unit in the period 2003-2005. The most frequent bacteria in hemodialysis have been coagulase-negative Staphylococci and Staphylococcus aureus, with variable methicillin resistance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The analysis of microbiological data has promoted effective measures to reduce the incidence of these bacteria (increased rules of good practice, hand washing, etc.). If nosocomial infections or high-risk microorganisms occur, assessments are carried out; monitoring of the antibiotic resistance of the bacteria is very important.
authors.affiliation: UO Malattie Infettive, Azienda Ospedaliera Carlo Poma, Mantova, Italy. giagattuso@jumpy.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gattuso
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tomasoni
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Palvarini
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chiarelli
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stradoni
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ceruti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scalzini
mesh_terms: D002177:Candidiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification