Recommended Practices for Surveillance: Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), Inc
Recommended practices for surveillance: Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), Inc. Terrie B. Lee, RN, MS, MPH, CIC, Ona G. Montgomery, RN, MSHA, CIC, James Marx, RN, MS, CIC, Russell N. Olmsted, MPH, CIC, and William E. Scheckler, MD Surveillance in public health is defined as ‘‘the on- the frequency of adverse events such as infection or going, systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, injury. Although the goal of contemporary infection and dissemination of data regarding a health-related prevention and control programs is to eliminate HAIs, event for use in public health action to reduce morbid- epidemiologic surveillance is still required for accurate ity and mortality and to improve health.’’1 Infection quantification of events and demonstration of perfor- control professionals apply this definition to both re- mance improvement. duce and prevent health care–associated infections Although there is no single or ‘‘right’’ method of sur- (HAIs) and enhance patient safety. Surveillance, as veillance design or implementation, sound epidemio- part of infection prevention and control programs in logic principles must form the foundation of effective health care facilities, contributes to meeting the pro- systems and be understood by key participants in the gram’s overall goals, namely: (1) protect the patient; surveillance program and supported by senior man- (2) protect the health care worker, visitors, and others agement. Teamwork and collaboration across the in the health care environment; and
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