title: Variation in health care-associated infection surveillance practices in Australia.
abstract: In the absence of a national health care-associated infection surveillance program in Australia, differences between existing state-based programs were explored using an online survey. Only 51% of respondents who undertake surveillance have been trained, fewer than half perform surgical site infection surveillance prospectively, and only 41% indicated they risk adjust surgical site infection data. Widespread variation of surveillance methods highlights future challenges when considering the development and implementation of a national program in Australia.
authors: Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: philip.russo@qut.edu.au.
authors: Philip L
authors: PL
authors: Russo
authors: Infectious Diseases Epidemiology Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Infection Prevention and Healthcare Epidemiology Unit, Alfred Health, Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.
authors: Allen C
authors: AC
authors: Cheng
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Richards
authors: Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Nicholas
authors: N
authors: Graves
authors: Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Hall
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Data quality; Definitions; Method; Prospective