Review of case definitions for nosocomial infection--towards a consensus. Presentation by the Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Unit (NISU) to the Hospital Infection Liaison Group, subcommittee of the Federation of Infection Societies (FIS).

As part of the preparatory work for a national surveillance scheme, consensus was sought on the case definitions for nosocomial infection. We compare six sets of case definitions for nosocomial urinary tract infection, surgical wound infection, bloodstream infection and pneumonia, and highlight areas of agreement and variation. We hope this will stimulate discussion among those with expertise and interest in surveillance and so contribute to the development of nationally agreed case definitions.