Veterinary hospital surveillance systems

Abstract

We cannot manage what we do not measure. In order to provide optimal patient care appropriate effort must be given to the prevention of infectious disease transmission through the development and maintenance of an infection control program that is founded on results obtained through organized surveillance efforts. Every facility is unique - thus efforts should be tailored to distinctive physical attributes and organizational limitations of individual practices. There is not only an ethical responsibility to do so, but there is a legal responsibility to meet the minimum standard of practice with respect to veterinary infection prevention and control.

Keywords: Infection control; Surveillance systems; Veterinary medicine.