Microbiologic Surveillance In Hospitals

Abstract

To the Editor.— In response to a query regarding microbiologic sampling of the hospital environment, Carl W. Walter, MD, cited instances in which such studies have demonstrated sources of nosocomial infection (229: 578, 1974). Dr. Walter did not indicate specifically whether routine sampling is a worthwhile control measure. Except for identification of specific bacteria associated with individual outbreaks, no correlation has been established between levels of contamination and nosocomial infection. If infection-control committees placed primary emphasis on surveillance of infections and education of personnel, if sampling were inexpensive and were generally conducted, using standard methods, and if clinically significant ranges of contamination were known, routine sampling might be justified. Too often, what in fact occurs is subrogation of the responsibility of the staff and administration to the unstandardized collection of cultures, which is subsidized at apparently no cost by the laboratory. Until the true cost of conducting an effective program is