[New methods for registration of hospital-acquired infections]

Surveillance of nosocomial infections is essential in order to identify areas with infection control problems. Surveys should be based on incidence data in order to allow for assessment of risk factors. Bedside surveillance may be replaced by computer identification of nosocomial infections in patients with positive microbiology reports and/or are treated with antibiotics. A computer modelling of hospital-acquired bloodstream infections in a Danish hospital is shown. The computer system may also provide ongoing surveillance for other types of nosocomial infections.