A program for infection surveillance utilizing an infection control liaison nurse

Area of Science:

• Hospital Epidemiology
• Infection Control Surveillance
• Public Health Surveillance

Background:

• Effective infection control programs necessitate practical and efficient surveillance systems.
• Traditional surveillance methods may lack the focused approach needed for immediate problem identification.
• University-affiliated hospitals require robust systems to manage infection risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and evaluate a novel two-phase surveillance system for infection control.
• To enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of infection control monitoring in a hospital setting.
• To improve the identification of and response to infection control breaches.

Main Methods:

• Phase I: Concentrated surveillance by hospital service (minimum 2 months per service), with critical care units monitored monthly.
• Phase II: Implementation of infection control liaison nurses (ICLN) in each patient unit for direct monitoring and liaison.
• Training of selected ICLNs by the hospital's Epidemiology Section.

Main Results:

• The two-phase approach proved effective and manageable for the hospital.
• Improved understanding of unit-specific infection control problems was achieved.
• More relevant educational programs and enhanced support for infection control initiatives resulted.

Conclusions:

• The implemented two-phase surveillance system enhances infection control by improving problem identification and monitoring.
• The infection control liaison nurse (ICLN) model facilitates better oversight of aseptic practices.
• This systematic approach leads to more meaningful statistics and strengthens overall infection control efforts.