ICU-Based Monitoring of Nosocomial Infections

Nosocomial, or hospital-acquired, infections (NIs) are a frequent complication affecting hospitalized patients. The growing availability of computerized patient records in hospitals allows automated identification and extended monitoring of the signs of NI for the purpose of reducing NI rates. A fuzzy-and knowledge-based system to identify and monitor NIs at intensive care units according to the European surveillance system HELICS was developed. It was implemented into the information technology landscape of the Vienna General Hospital and is now being tested in a clinical study