Implementation of a novel on-ward computer-assisted surveillance system for device-associated infections in an intensive care unit.

For the presented study a computer-based surveillance system for detecting nosocomial infections (NI) with direct data input from attending on-ward physicians was implemented. During a 12-month period surveillance of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and catheter-associated bloodstream infections (BSI) was performed prospectively by on-ward physicians guided by infection control specialists on an 11-bed medical intensive care unit in a German university hospital. In 603 patients 3282 patient days were assessed.