PREVALENCE SURVEY ON NOSOCOMIAL INFECTION S IN THE MARSEILLES HOSPITALS IN 1992 - METHODOLOGY

Using a random sampling method, two prevalence surveys on nosocomial i nfections were organized in 1992 in the Assistance Publique de Marseil le, a public structure of 8 university affiliated hospitals with 4000 acute beds. The surveys concerned 42 % and 50 % of the hospitalized pa tients. The prevalence rates of infections acquired in the APM were 8, 6 % and 7,1 % with an accuracy of 1,2 % and 1,1 % respectively. This s tudy showed the feasibility of this survey and permitted an efficient use of resources to assess the high risk units. Based on the results, a prospective surveillance was further established in some clean surge ry departments in order to complete the prospective surveillance yet i nitiated in ICUs.