Analysis of infection rates

To monitor the quality of our infection management, we take part in an external, nationwide quality control programme for the surveillance of infections, known as the “Hospital Infection Surveillance System” (Krankenhaus-Infektions-Surveillance-System, KISS). As part of this, newly occurring infections are reported to the NRZ (National Reference Centre for Surveillance of Nosocomial Infections). The cooperation partner is the Robert Koch Institute. The KISS system examines the frequency of infections according to defined criteria and thus allows conclusions to be drawn about the quality of infection management. In the process, the infection rates are also compared with those of other hospitals. It has been shown that systematic recording, analysis and evaluation alone reduce the frequency of hospital infections, even if they cannot prevent them completely. This surveillance serves as the basis for important decisions on infection prevention. Effective measures are taken on the basis of the data obtained. We currently record the infection rates (urinary tract infection, pneumonia and sepsis) in the intensive care unit, Clostridioides-associated diarrhoea, and postoperative wound infections after certain procedures, whereby the type of operation monitored changes after a defined time interval.

Infection surveillance in the intensive care unit (evaluation from 2018): The probability of contracting a hospital infection in our intensive care unit is significantly lower than in most other comparable hospitals. We have recorded just 15 infections since 2018 (4 bloodstream infections, 3 urinary tract infections, 8 respiratory tract infections) among 4,714 patients and 15,799 patient days. This is well below average compared with other hospitals.

Surveillance of Clostridioides-associated diarrhoea: For diarrhoea caused by Clostridioides difficile, which frequently occurs in hospital after antibiotic treatment, the Ev. Diakoniekrankenhaus shows an overall prevalence of 0.24 cases/100 patients, which is unremarkable compared with the reference data. The incidence density of nosocomial cases, i.e. cases acquired in hospital, is also within the unremarkable range at 0.1 cases/1,000 patient days. The hospital performs better than the average of the hospitals in Germany participating in KISS surveillance.

Surveillance of postoperative wound infections: The surveillance of postoperative wound infections after inguinal hernia operations has been concluded owing to the unremarkable results. From 01.07.2025, surveillance of postoperative wound infections after caesarean section (Sectio caesarea) is being carried out.

(As of: 2026)