SURVEILLANCESURVEILLANCE

PURPOSEPURPOSE

Surveillance is one of the most important Surveillance is one of the most important element in an Infection Control Program element in an Infection Control Program and is defined as a method of monitoring and is defined as a method of monitoring ongoing events and being watchful of ongoing events and being watchful of activities and occurrences of events that activities and occurrences of events that are pertinent to effective control. are pertinent to effective control. Complete surveillance is necessary in Complete surveillance is necessary in order to accomplish all elements of an order to accomplish all elements of an Infection Control Program. Infection Control Program.

PURPOSEPURPOSEThe objectives of surveillance are to The objectives of surveillance are to

establish an organized method of establish an organized method of surveying, collecting, analyzing, surveying, collecting, analyzing, reporting, disseminating, and reporting, disseminating, and utilizing information. Surveillance utilizing information. Surveillance allows for the establishment of the allows for the establishment of the program by comparing infection program by comparing infection occurrences in a particular facility. occurrences in a particular facility. The goal is to identify, prevent The goal is to identify, prevent and/or control problems or potential and/or control problems or potential problems.problems.

The Infection Control Committee (ICC) The Infection Control Committee (ICC) shall determine the type and scope of shall determine the type and scope of surveillance and criteria for surveillance and criteria for surveillance, monitoring, and follow-up surveillance, monitoring, and follow-up of infections/ nosocomial infections.of infections/ nosocomial infections.

Infection Control Nurses shall perform Infection Control Nurses shall perform surveillance, implement prevention and surveillance, implement prevention and control measures and report infections control measures and report infections to all ICC and appropriate authorities.to all ICC and appropriate authorities.

PURPOSEPURPOSEPOLICY

All personnel sahll observe for and All personnel sahll observe for and report infections per policy and follow report infections per policy and follow recommended prevention and control recommended prevention and control procedures.procedures.

Potential outbreaks of infections shall Potential outbreaks of infections shall be reported to the ICC Chairperson, be reported to the ICC Chairperson, Division Clinical Director, and others, Division Clinical Director, and others, and appropriate control measures put and appropriate control measures put into effect. Consultation with into effect. Consultation with Epidermiology will be done as needed.Epidermiology will be done as needed.

PURPOSEPURPOSEPOLICY

TYPES OF TYPES OF SURVEILLANCESURVEILLANCE Prospective: Incidences that have Prospective: Incidences that have

occurred in the past. Monthly infection occurred in the past. Monthly infection control reports are based upon this control reports are based upon this type.type.

Retrospective: Incidences that have Retrospective: Incidences that have occurred in the past. Monthly infection occurred in the past. Monthly infection control reports are based upon this control reports are based upon this type.type.

Prevalence: Incidence that are occuring Prevalence: Incidence that are occuring now.now.

METHODS OF METHODS OF SURVEILLANCESURVEILLANCE

Total: Surveillance of all clients or occurrences at all Total: Surveillance of all clients or occurrences at all times.times.

Targeted: Surveillance of a selected population Targeted: Surveillance of a selected population group, i.e. lab-based, high-risk population, infections group, i.e. lab-based, high-risk population, infections in a particular site, such as UTI.in a particular site, such as UTI.

Periodic: Surveillance done at specific times; i.e. Periodic: Surveillance done at specific times; i.e. prevalence studies, environmental studies.prevalence studies, environmental studies.

Note: Total surveillance shall be utilized to obtain Note: Total surveillance shall be utilized to obtain baseline data. Both prospective and retrospective baseline data. Both prospective and retrospective types will be employed. Targeted or selective types will be employed. Targeted or selective surveillance will be done when specific problems are surveillance will be done when specific problems are identified or infections in a particular site are identified or infections in a particular site are elevated above expected levels.elevated above expected levels.