Surveillance and NHSN SSI Tips

Dana Burshell, VDH

November 10, 2011

Surveillance Problems?VDH HAI Team is Here to Help

HAI Epidemiologist - Dana Burshell, MPH, CPH, CIC Assistance with surveillance, metrics, Excel, and NHSN Ensure data quality for VA public reporting Masters degree in epidemiology

Nurse Epidemiologist - Carol Jamerson, BSN, RN, CIC Assistance with surveillance definitions ~20 years of IP experience

Program Coordinator - Andrea Alvarez, MPH Past HAI Epidemiologist with masters degree

in epidemiology

Surveillance Terms and Metrics

Explanation and assistance regarding HAI metrics: Prevalence vs. incidence rate P-value and 95% confidence interval Risk stratification

Example: by type of ICU Risk adjustment

Example: NHSN’s SSI standardized infection ratio (SIR) Rates SIR

NHSN Assistance

Finding appropriate resources Importing/exporting data Ensuring compliance with mandates How to make corrections

Example: unit incorrectly mapped to CDC location

Batched questions to NHSN Running reports Analysis tips Customization of forms and reports Data quality checks

Take the Time to Know NHSN’s Resources

NHSN Help Available when signed into NHSN

NHSN Help contents Website http://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/

Protocols, forms, manuals Trainings, metrics, reports Clinical Document Architecture Communication updates

Future Plans for Communication: Divide and Conquer

Monthly Steering Committee APIC-VA Mandatory Reporting Committee VDH HAI newsletter VDH HAI website Batched questions to NHSN E-mails via NHSN (update your contact information) Webinars/documents for popular topics

Onus on APIC-VA and IPs to communicate their needs as VDH HAI Program’s attention will also be directed to non-acute settings (ex. LTC).

Questions, Concerns, Ideas?

Contact information:

Dana Burshell (804) 864-7550

Dana.Burshell@vdh.virginia.gov