Nosocomial sepsis surveillance in the NICU

Nosocomial infections are the most important current challenge faced by the NICUs. A systematic surveillance program is the first and integral step of all infection control measures. However, the current methods of recording health care associated infections in our country are grossly inadequate and assume every patient to be at equal risk. A risk based approach to calculate health care associated infection rates as per international norms is described in this article. There is an urgent need to establish a national network wherein all units follow uniform definitions and methods of reporting nosocomial infections. This can help in benchmarking, mutual learning and quality improvement leading to reduction in health care associated infections.