The National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) is a secure, web-based surveillance system developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The system is designed to monitor and track healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and other adverse events in healthcare facilities across the United States. In order to participate in the NHSN, facilities must first sign an agreement and provide consent to share their data.
The NHSN Agreement to Participate outlines the responsibilities and expectations of facilities that participate in the system. By signing the agreement, facilities agree to comply with all NHSN reporting requirements and to provide accurate and timely data on a regular basis. They also agree to follow all applicable laws and regulations related to data privacy and security.
The agreement also outlines the types of information that facilities are required to report, including HAI surveillance data, patient safety event data, and antimicrobial use and resistance data. Facilities must ensure that all data they report is complete, accurate, and consistent with the NHSN protocols.
In addition to signing the agreement, facilities must also provide consent for their data to be shared with other healthcare providers, public health agencies, and researchers. This consent is necessary in order to facilitate collaboration and knowledge-sharing among healthcare professionals and to improve public health outcomes.
Facilities that participate in the NHSN have access to a wealth of valuable data and information that can help them improve patient safety and reduce the incidence of HAIs. By signing the agreement and providing consent to share their data, facilities can make a significant contribution to the overall goal of improving healthcare quality and safety across the country.
In conclusion, the NHSN Agreement to Participate and Consent is a critical component of the healthcare industry`s efforts to monitor and combat HAIs and other adverse events in healthcare facilities. By signing the agreement and providing consent to share their data, facilities can play an active role in improving patient safety and public health outcomes. As a result, it is important for healthcare professionals to be familiar with the terms of the agreement and to ensure that they are in compliance with all reporting requirements.