According to ICU-KISS and DEVICE-KISS data, there is a large variance in incidence density for nosocomial MRSA infections. While many intensive care departments and peripheral wards do not collect data during observation, other intensive care departments have high incidence density. In the past, however, we only had an overview of nosocomial MRSA infections. Patients with proven MRSA and cases without infection but with colonisation are of equally great importance for the spread of MRSA on departments.

Because of the considerable relevance of the problem and the relatively limited amount of information about MRSA epidemiology in Germany, we decided, in agreement with the participants, to record every case of MRSA, nosocomial or otherwise, starting on January 1, 2003.

It was further agreed that all evidence of VRE or ESBL on departments participating in ITS-KISS or DEVICE-KISS should also be recorded starting on January 1, 2003.

Data from ICUs (ITS-KISS) and non-intensive care units (DEVICE-KISS) are evaluated separately.