Epidemiology focus in key session

This includes a key session on epidemiology where a number of presentations will be given around the subjects of surveillance, prevalence and quality improvement methods. Other subjects covered in this day include MRSA, acinetobacter, and prescribing.

Epidemiology underpins the very nature of everything done in attempting to control infections. Within healthcare, infection control teams, as well as other clinicians and those associated with healthcare, need to focus on ways in which they can target priority infection control related activities that will facilitate a reduction in infection rates. Sound epidemiological data should underpin these activities, ensuring priority areas are addressed. This is crucial in meeting the demands of today’s healthcare, political and public agendas.
Epidemiological data can be gathered through a variety of means including robust surveillance activities. These activities can lead to many actions at local and national level. However, in order for data to be meaningful and comparable over time they must be valid and reliable, collected in a standardised way and managed in a system that includes quality assurance and reporting mechanisms.