Part 1: Developing systems for surveillance

Abstract

Efforts to establish and maintain surveillance of surgical site infections (SSIs) are underway across the UK and worldwide. Surveillance of SSI is an important element of infection control. The data from surveillance activity can be used at a local level to improve care and are being collated at a national and international level for comparative reasons and allow for sharing of best practice. In order that this data is valid, reliable and comparable, it should be collected in a standardised way and managed in a system that includes quality assurance and reporting mechanisms.

The Scottish Surveillance of Healthcare Associated Infection Programme (SSHAIP) has developed a flexible user-friendly support system for effective SSI surveillance, and the team offers training in data definitions, data management, quality assurance and reporting. This is an important function of any national system of surveillance and the training component of SSHAIP has been highly evaluated by its participants. This article details the components of the surveillance programme including, data management, quality assurance and reporting within SSHAIP.

This article will be followed by second one, which will focus on the training in data definitions component of the surveillance.

Keywords

Data management surveillance surgical infection reporting quality assurance

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