Efficacy of different surveillance systems in detecting hospital-acquired infections
Bartlett, C.L.
Chemioterapia International Journal of the Mediterranean Society of ChemoTherapy 6(3): 152-155
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0392-906X PMID: 3607926 Document Number: 292582
Microbiology laboratory reports are the principal data source for nosocomial infection surveillance in most European countries. Such laboratory based surveillance inherently lacks sensitivity so that additional sources of data are necessary to increase the detection of infections. Long term compliance of voluntary reporting by clinical or ward nursing staff has rarely been achieved but continuous and selective clinical surveillance has been implemented successfully in the USA. Selective clinical surveillance, supplemented by laboratory data, may be a practical proposition in Europe, even with existing staffing levels and validation studies of the various methods are needed urgently.