Expert consensus and recommendations for Healthcare-Associated Infection surveillance in Queensland, Australia: A modified Delphi study.

Abstract

Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) continue to contribute significantly to Australia's burden of disease. In Queensland, varied surveillance protocols exist contributing to unnecessary complexity. With end-user partners, we defined a minimum dataset to support the public reporting of HAI surveillance data.

Method: A modified, 2-round Delphi study was conducted with field experts. In Round 1, infection control professionals and infectious disease physicians rated HAI measures on importance, feasibility, usefulness, and case definition acceptability using Likert scales. Measures meeting predefined thresholds progressed to Round 2, where a panel of experts achieved ≥70% consensus on the final dataset.

Results: Forty-nine infection control professionals (nurses and physicians) responded in Round 1. From the originally proposed 36 HAI measures, 17 achieved consensus for importance, usefulness and feasibility. In Round 2, 14 experts (11 infection control practitioners; 3 physicians) met to review the 17 measures retained from Round 1. Final measures (n = 13), meeting Round 2 consensus, included bloodstream infections, selected surgical site infections, and significant organisms.

Discussion and conclusion: We developed a 13-item minimum dataset with standardised definitions to support consistent, state-wide HAI surveillance and reporting. The dataset supports efficient data aggregation and will inform targeted prevention activities.