title: The national response for preventing healthcare-associated infections: data and monitoring.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Historically, the ability to accurately track healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) was hindered due to a lack of coordination among data sources and shortcomings in individual data sources.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This paper presents the results of the evaluation of the HAI data and the monitoring component of the Action Plan, focusing on context (goals), inputs, and processes.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used the Content-Input-Process-Product framework, together with the HAI prevention system framework, to describe the transformative processes associated with data and monitoring efforts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six HAI priority conditions in the 2009 Action Plan created a focus for the selection of goals and activities. Key Action Plan decisions included a phased-in data and monitoring approach, commitment to linking the selection of priority HAIs to highly visible national 5-year prevention targets, and the development of a comprehensive HAI database inventory. Remaining challenges relate to data validation, resources, and the opportunity to integrate electronic health and laboratory records with other provider data systems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Action Plan's data and monitoring program has developed a sound infrastructure that builds upon technological advances and embodies a firm commitment to prioritization, coordination and alignment, accountability and incentives, stakeholder engagement, and an awareness of the need for predictable resources. With time, and adequate resources, it is likely that the investment in data-related infrastructure during the Action Plan's initial years will reap great rewards.
authors.affiliation: *RAND Corporation, Santa Monica †David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA ‡IMPAQ International, LLC, Columbia, MD.
authors.forename: Katherine L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Kahn
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Weinberg
authors.forename: Kristin J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Leuschner
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Gall
authors.forename: Sari
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Siegel
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mendel
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D016208:Databases, Factual; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology