An evaluation of enhanced surveillance of hospitalised COVID-19 patients to inform the public health response in Victoria.

Background: Public health surveillance is crucial for supporting a rapid and effective response to public health emergencies. In response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, an enhanced surveillance system of hospitalised COVID-19 patients was established by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Victorian Healthcare Associated Infection Surveillance System Coordinating Centre. The system aimed to reduce workforce capacity constraints and increase situational awareness on the status of hospitalised patients.

Measuring Healthcare-Associated Infection Outcomes: Enhanced Surveillance to Include Process Adherence for Quality Improvement.

To prevent healthcare-associated infections, there are a range of clinical practices that should be followed. For example, appropriate administration of prophylactic antibiotics [process] is essential to reduce risks of surgical site infections post-operatively [outcome]. Monitoring adherence to these processes provides insights into potential causes of infection.

The establishment of a statewide surveillance program for hospital-acquired infections in large Victorian public hospitals: a report from the VICNISS Coordinating Centre.

Background: A 1998 survey of acute Victorian public hospitals (VPH) revealed that surveillance of hospital-acquired infections (HAI) was underdeveloped, definitions and methodology varied considerably, and results disseminated inconsistently. The survey identified the need for an effective surveillance system for HAI.

Objective: To develop and support a standardized surveillance program for HAIs in large acute VPH and to provide risk-adjusted, procedure-specific, HAI rates.

Infections after coronary artery bypass graft surgery in Victorian hospitals--VICNISS Hospital Acquired Infection Surveillance.

Objective: To establish a surveillance program reporting surgical site infection rates after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS) in Victorian public hospitals.

Methods: The VICNISS Coordinating Centre was established in 2002 to implement and co-ordinate a standardised surveillance system for hospital-acquired infections in acute care Victorian public hospitals. Using validated definitions and methodology from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance (NNIS) program, data on risk-adjusted surgical site infection (SSI) rates were collected and submitted to the Coordinating Centre for collation and reporting.