The GAIHN-HAI PPS Project:

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a significant risk to patient safety and the prevalence in hospitals is often unknown or under-characterized. Describing the burden of HAIs is critical to decrease risk and guide infection prevention and control (IPC) initiatives in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

The Global Action in Healthcare Network – Healthcare-associated Infections Module (GAIHN-HAI) Point Prevalence Survey (PPS) Project reflects collaborations between the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Association for Public Health Laboratories (APHL), and GAIHN-HAI facilities and implementing partners to provide sustainable methods for measuring HAI burden using point prevalence survey PPS methodology and use data for action in resource-limited healthcare settings.

GAIHN-HAI PPS Data Collection Tools:

PPS can be challenging; the GAIHN-HAI PPS Project was created to develop tools that allow users to more easily conduct an HAI PPS. Both the GAIHN-HAI PPS data collection app and the GAIHN-HAI PPS REDCap tool were designed to streamline the process of manual data collection and analysis and address challenges in implementation. Either tool can be used for data collection for the GAIHN-HAI PPS.

What is a PPS?

An HAI point prevalence survey (PPS) is an epidemiological method to measure the prevalence of HAIs in healthcare settings. Data are collected using standardized methods at a specific point in time to measure HAI rates among hospitalized patients during the survey period.

User roles and management

The GAIHN-HAI PPS data collection app and the GAIHN-HAI REDCap tool support the creation and management of:

Users with defined roles and permissions
Defined facilities and wards
Data collection surveys

Close-up of hands entering data on a tablet

Data collection

GAIHN-HAI PPS data collection tools are responsive systems in which users are guided through HAI PPS data collection methods by following a series of simple step-by-step patient data collection forms (pages) and questions. Built-in logic underlies the data collection steps to guide the data collector and efficiently gather necessary data.

Data output

The standardized and high-quality data output from GAIHN-HAI PPS data collection tools can be utilized for HAI prevalence estimation to improve IPC practices to protect patient safety. These data also support classification of HAI as defined in the protocol.

Data analysis

Data can be exported from the GAIHN-HAI PPS data collection app or REDCap tool in a CSV file format. Data analysis can then be performed using software such as SAS or R or by utilizing the automated GAIHN-HAI PPS results report generator.

Learn more about the GAIHN-HAI PPS project here or refer to the user guide and trainings here for details on how to use the tools in your facility.