Quality control of the surveillance programme of ICU-acquired infection (ENVIN-HELICS registry) in Spain

Abstract

Background: Data validation is an essential aspect for the accuracy of a nosocomial infection surveillance registry.

Aim: To report the results of the first quality control programme in the national surveillance programme of intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired infection in Spain (ENVIN-HELICS registry).

Method: During 2008, of 13,824 records included in the database, 1500 (10.8%) registries from 20 ICUs were reviewed. These ICUs were selected at random and stratified according to the number of cases included in the registry. The proportion of infected patients, which was 9.6% [95% confidence interval (CI) 8.09-11.16], was maintained during the selection of cases for review. Two physicians were trained for the purpose of the study and undertook the review.

Results: Overall sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values of the ENVIN-HELICS registry for the identification of patients with any device-related infection acquired during their ICU stay were 86.0% (95% CI 80.0-92.0), 98.7% (95% CI 82.19-93.6), 87.9% (95% CI 82.19-93.6) and 98.5% (95% CI 97.8-99.2), respectively, with a kappa index of 0.85 (95% CI 0.79-0.92). Secondary bloodstream infection had the lowest sensitivity (59.3%), and intubation-associated pneumonia had the highest sensitivity (86.3%).

Conclusion: There was good correlation between data reported by the registrars and data validated by auditors, confirming the reliability of the ENVIN-HELICS registry.