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NHSN Annual Update:
Antimicrobial-Resistant Pathogens Associated With Healthcare-Associated Infections

Annual Summary of Data Reported to the National Healthcare Safety Network at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006–2007

Antimicrobial-resistant pathogens that cause healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) pose an ongoing and increasing challenge to hospitals, both in the clinical treatment of patients and in the prevention of the cross-transmission of these problematic pathogens.  Describing the magnitude of the problem with respect to these antimicrobial-resistant pathogens is challenging, because the levels of antimicrobial resistance vary for different types of healthcare facilities and for different geographic areas, and some resistance phenotypes are difficult for laboratories to detect. However, the findings from such attempts may help the infection control and public health communities target problems and utilize resources more efficiently.

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Fidelma Fitzpatrick, MD; Fiona Roche, PhD; Robert Cunney, MB; Hilary Humphreys, MD; Strategy for the Control of Antimicrobial Resistance in Ireland Infection Control Subcommittee
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April 2007

Volume 28, Number 4
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2007;28:486–488
© 2007 by The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. All rights reserved.
0899-823X/2007/2804-0020$15.00
DOI: 10.1086/513027
Concise Communication

Quality of Data Reported to a Smaller‐Hospital Pilot Surveillance Program

Noleen J. Bennett, RN, MPH;

Ann L. Bull, BSc (hons), MApEpid, PhD;

David R. Dunt, MB, BS, PhD, FFPH;

Michael J. Richards MB, BS, FRACP, MD;

Philip L. Russo, RN, MCE;

Denis W. Spelman, MB, BS, FRACP, FRCPA, MPH

From the Victorian Hospital Acquired Infection Surveillance System (VICNISS) Coordinating Centre (N.J.B., A.L.B., M.J.R., P.L.R.), the School of Population Health, the University of Melbourne (D.R.D.), and the Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Unit, Alfred Hospital (D.W.S.), Melbourne, Australia.

This data quality study assessed the accuracy of data collected as part of a pilot smaller‐hospital surveillance program for methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection and bloodstream infection (BSI). For reported MRSA infection, estimated values were as follows: sensitivity, 40%; specificity, 99.9%; and positive predictive value, 33.3%. For reported BSI, estimated values were as follows: sensitivity, 42.9%; specificity, 99.8%; and positive predictive value, 37.5%.

Received September 4, 2005; accepted February 23, 2006; electronically published February 26, 2007.

Address reprint requests to Noleen J. Bennett, RN, MPH, Senior Infection Control consultant, Victorian Hospital Acquired Surveillance System Coordinating Centre, 10 Wreckyn St., North Melbourne 3061, VIC Australia ().
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