This protocol describes a survey undertaken to acquire a snapshot of the distribution of Clostridioides difficile strains in tertiary acute care hospitals in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) in 2022–2023
Version 6.1 is the final protocol for the third EU-wide point prevalence survey in acute care hospitals (PPS 2022–2023). It contains important changes compared to protocol version 5.3 (PPS 2016–2017), including on healthcare-associated COVID-19.
This protocol is to ensure standardisation of definitions, data collection and reporting procedures for hospitals participating in the national/regional surveillance of healthcare-associated infections in intensive care units across Europe.
Version 5.3 is the final protocol for the second EU-wide point prevalence survey (PPS 2016–2017). It contains major changes compared to protocol version 4.3 (PPS 2011–2012). Compared to versions 5.1 (January 2016) and 5.2 (May 2016), the current version only contains a few corrections, editorial changes and clarifications.
This protocol is the final ECDC point prevalence survey (PPS) validation protocol, which was adapted according to the findings of the pilot validation study and discussed with experts from Member States at a meeting in London on 5 March 2012.
The protocol provides a standardised methodology to Member States and hospitals in response to article II.8.c of Council Recommendation 2009/C 151/01 of 9 June 2009 on patient safety, including the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections. It also integrates the main variables of the ESAC hospital PPS protocol, thereby providing support to Council Recommendation 2002/77/EC of 15 November 2001 on the prudent use of antimicrobial agents in human medicine.