On this page: Background | Data Sources | Data Dashboards & Reports
Background
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) receives healthcare-associated infection (HAI) and associated data from Virginia healthcare facilities through the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). VDH epidemiologists review the data, send feedback reports, and provide technical support to facilities on the use on NHSN. In Virginia, the state HAI reporting requirements align with those of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). VDH reporting requirements will expand as CMS reporting requirements expand. The following facilities are required to share HAI data with VDH via NHSN:
- Acute care hospitals
- Outpatient hemodialysis facilities
- Long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs)
- Inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs)
HAI data are reported to VDH on a quarterly basis to align with CMS reporting deadlines. Infection data are reported publicly in total to ensure that no individual patient can be identified. Each year, reports are posted on the VDH website for healthcare facilities, providers, and patients. Data on healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) can help people learn about different healthcare facilities in the state. It can also help them ask informed questions about how hospitals and doctors prevent and control infections.
The HAI/AR Program receives additional data through surveillance and assessment activities recorded in the Virginia Outbreak Surveillance System (VOSS), Virginia Electronic Disease Surveillance System (VEDSS), and electronic survey software.
Data Sources
National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)
The National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) is a national healthcare-associated infection (HAI) reporting system developed and maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is the most widely used tracking system for HAIs in the United States. NHSN is used by healthcare providers to report surveillance data using standardized definitions to identify HAIs.
- CMS Requirements for Reporting via NHSN (CDC) – current or proposed CMS requirements including particular HAI event data and reporting specifications
Virginia Outbreak Surveillance System (VOSS)
The Virginia Outbreak Surveillance System (VOSS) is a data system used to track outbreak investigations, document outbreak records, and provide outbreak information. The information from these outbreak investigations helps in several ways:
- Planning responses
- Tracking disease trends
- Resource distribution
- Assess infection prevention and control measures
- Understanding the impact on public health
Virginia Electronic Disease Surveillance System (VEDSS)
The National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS) is a data system for disease surveillance and control. It gathers information on reportable health conditions from doctors, labs, medical facility managers, infection control experts, and other sources across Virginia. It also includes details from health department staff who investigate and work to stop the spread of diseases. This information helps identify new health problems and track disease trends in Virginia.