Hospital-wide surveillance: Perspective for the practitioner

Abstract

Hospitals with limited resources need to develop priorities and might consider directing their surveillance efforts in the critical care areas. Once surveillance in these areas has been completed, the practitioner can focus attention on other areas of the hospital, including in-service activities. The preliminary report of the CDC's study of the efficacy of nosocomial infection control (SENIC study) showed a direct correlation between the level of in-service activities and subsequent infection rates. In conclusion, goals for a cost effective surveillance system program should reflect (1) priority areas for surveillance, (2) decision as to what information needs reporting, and (3) effective utilization of data to direct preventive efforts and outbreak investigation.