National surveillance of nosocomial infections in neonatal intensive care units in Belgium

Infection is one of the most important reasons for neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. It has also a significant negative impact on hospital stay and hospital costs. Progress in neonatal intensive care has made it possible to decrease mortality among preterm infants with very low birth weights, but these preterm infants are at especially high risk for developing nosocomial infections. Surveillance has proven itself to be an effective method for reducing the frequency of nosocomial infections. An important part of the surveillance system is the comparison of infection rates. Nationwide reference data are necessary for comparing infection rates and for evaluating the efficiency of preventative measures. The goal of the project is to make nationwide reference data about the frequency of nosocomial infections among preterm infants available. Specially developed definitions are used for the diagnosis of the three kinds of infections tracked: pneumonia, primary bloodstream infections, and necrotizing enterocolitis. Performance indicators as stratified incidence density (infections/1000 patient-days) and device-related infection rates per 1000 device-days are calculated by BW class (less than 500 g, 501-999 g, and 1000 to 1499 g).