Surveillance systems for health care associated infections

HealthCare Associated Infections (HCAIs) are increasingly considered to be preventable adverse events, which require prioritized global attention. In the face of increasing antimicrobial resistance, prevention remains the best method to curb these infections. Surveillance of HCAIs and antimicrobial resistance using standard methods is becoming a model for prevention. Surveillance identifies the rates of HCAIs, the areas for intervention and improvement, as well as the impact of those preventive interventions. Objectivized definitions, algorithmic diagnosis and electronic databases have made surveillance systems more user-friendly and effective over time. The scope of surveillance is ever-widening with increasing need for post-discharge surveillance, day-care and home-based treatment and the technology revolution. This review provides an overview of the global health care associated infection surveillance systems and recent innovations therein.