NOSOCOMIAL INFECTIONS - A COLLEGE-OF-AMERICAN-PATHOLOGISTS Q-PROBES STUDY IN 512 NORTH-AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS

We report nosocomial infection surveillance methods and hospital infec tion rates in 512 institutions obtained from a Q-Probes study of the C ollege of American Pathologists, North-field, Ill. The results showed that nosocomial infection surveillance procedures were well standardiz ed. Use of microbiology reports was the most common case-finding metho d (97.3%), followed by review of the patient's medical record (86.1%). The median number of full-time equivalents per 100 occupied beds util ized for infection control services was 0.64, and these full-time equi valents spent 40% of their time on surveillance activities. A computer was used in 81% of institutions to assist in conducting surveillance, although this usage was not associated with decreased surveillance ti me or personnel required. This study provided data on total and site-s pecific infection rates for a wide range of small to large hospitals. When stratified into subgroups (based on teaching status and hospital size), infections rates in this study were comparable with those of th e National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance program, and showed a tre nd of increasing rates of nosocomial bloodstream and surgical wound in fections.