NHSN Data Validation

AT A GLANCE

 

  • Data Accuracy: NHSN depends on precise data from healthcare facilities to achieve its surveillance goals and ensure accurate reporting of facility outcomes.
  • Validation Resources: NHSN offers Internal and External Validation toolkits to help healthcare facilities and health departments assess infection control efforts and verify the reliability of submitted data.
  • Take Action: NHSN validation is voluntary but encouraged as an effective way to enhance reporting accuracy and uncover improvement opportunities at your facility.
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External vs. Internal Validation

NHSN provides tools and support for both external and internal validation efforts. Please refer to the table below to identify the differences between the two approaches.

internal vs external validation
External Validation Internal Validation
What is it? A standardized process of external review of a facility’s surveillance procedures and reporting protocols

 

A standardized process of internal review of a facility’s surveillance procedures and reporting protocols
Who performs it? State or Local Health Departments

 

Facility employees (Infection Preventionists, nurse, infection control staff)
What is the purpose? Identify common issues related to NHSN data reporting and determine appropriate training activities and support needed at healthcare facilities Ensure that the facility’s surveillance data are of high quality: complete, timely, and accurate
HAI’s Available for Validation Patient Safety Component: CLABSI, CAUTI, SSI-HYST, SSI-COLO, MRSA, LabID CDI
Dialysis Component: Dialysis Event
Long Term Care Component: Long Term Care LabID CDI Event
Patient Safety Component: CLABSI, CAUTI, SSI-HYST, SSI-COLO, MRSA, LabID CDI, VAE

 

How often is it performed? Varies by jurisdiction. An annual review for at least one HAI per jurisdiction is ideal. Annually, at minimum
Data Validation by Year

The NHSN Validation Toolkits have dedicated resources to help state health departments and healthcare facility staff validate Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) data reported to NHSN. The year selections below contain resources for HAI data reported to NHSN for the year specified.

2023
2023 Resources by HAI
2024
2024 Resources by HAI
Additional Resources