The need for an infection surveillance program

Infection surveillance programs enable systematic collection, collation and analysis of infection and antimicrobial use data, as well as dissemination of surveillance reports to those who need to know. Surveillance reporting is essential for continuous quality improvement activities. The final link in the surveillance chain is the development of infection prevention and control (IPC) and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) measures based on the interpretation of surveillance findings.

Why is infection surveillance essential for a RACH?

Residents (and staff) in RACHs are especially at risk of acquiring serious and preventable infections. Approximately one quarter of all hospitalisations from RACHs are due to infections. Antimicrobial use in RACHs has indirectly been shown to be at times inappropriate; inappropriate antimicrobial use can contribute to significant adverse outcomes such as the development of antimicrobial resistant infection.

The primary benefit of an infection surveillance program in a RACH is the protection of residents (and staff) from acquiring preventable infections. Additional benefits are:

 

  • Monitoring of infection burden
  • Identification of emerging infectious threats
  • Description of infection clinical courses
  • Monitoring of (inappropriate) antimicrobial use
  • Assessment of the extent to which IPC and AMS standards are being met, goals accomplished,
  • Identification of risk factors for acquiring infections
  • Guidance for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of IPC and AMS policies and practices.
  • Prioritisation and guidance of immediate action for cases of public health importance.
  • Prioritisation of health resource allocation
  • Benchmarking of activities performed according to requirements, and aspects that may need improvement against other like participating RACHs
  • Direction for continuing IPC and AMS communication and education strategies
  • Provision of reassurance during periods of perceived increased risk that the incidence of an infection is not increasing
  • A basis for epidemiological research
  • Support for regulatory (accreditation) requirements