Conversion of prevalence survey data on nosocomial infections to incidence estimates: a simplified tool for surveillance?

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2007 May;28(5):633-6. doi: 10.1086/513536. Epub 2007 Apr 13.

Abstract

We calculated the incidence of nosocomial infection in 2 intensive care units (ICUs) on the basis of prevalence data recorded from 1997 through 2002 and compared these estimates to cumulative incidences measured in the 2 ICUs during the same period to investigate the feasibility and the reliability of converting prevalence data to incidence estimates. Decreases in the calculated and measured incidences over time in the ICUs were found to be statistically significantly related.

Publication types

  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Cross Infection / epidemiology*
  • France / epidemiology
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Intensive Care Units / statistics & numerical data*
  • Models, Statistical*
  • Prevalence
  • Sentinel Surveillance*