What does the term "surveillance" refer to in infection control?

The term "surveillance" in infection control specifically refers to the systematic monitoring and analysis of infection incidences within a healthcare setting. This process involves the collection and interpretation of data related to infection rates, which helps healthcare facilities identify trends, outbreaks, and areas needing improvement. By tracking infections, organizations can take timely action to implement controls, improve patient safety, and prevent the spread of infections. Surveillance is crucial for maintaining high standards of asepsis and ensuring effective infection control measures are in place.

Administering vaccines is an important aspect of infection prevention but does not fall under the definition of surveillance. Conducting staff performance evaluations and evaluating hospital finances are unrelated to infection control practices. Therefore, monitoring infection incidences remains the central focus of surveillance in infection control.