Participation is on  voluntary basis for all  Dutch LTCFs with  approximately 50 beds or more.

The aim of the SNIV network is to provide systematic year-round surveillance data for local interventions and national policy making and as well for the development of infection control guidelines for the LTCF setting.

SNIV coordinates the surveillance, provides national baseline data, organises (online) training sessions for participating LTCFs, and provides feedback through institutional and national reports.

Four surveillance modules

1. Incidence module 

   Incidence rates give insight in the rate of new cases per time interval and make it possible to study seasonal fluctuations in infections e.g. the number of new gastro-intestinal tract infections per week.

   The presence of the following HAIs is registered weekly: urinary tract infections, lower respiratory tract infections,  influenza-like illness, gastrointestinal infections and mortality. Additionally, COVID-19 is registered during the COVID-19 pandemic. The weekly data of the incidence module is not traceable to individual residents.

2. Prevalence module 

   Prevalence can be measured by the total number of cases of disease in a population. The prevalence survey is a biannual point-prevalence survey and takes place in April and/or November. 

   The presence of following HAIs is registered for each included resident:  urinary tract infections, lower respiratory tract infections and gastrointestinal infections. During the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 is registered. Baseline characteristics and antibiotic usage are also registered for each included resident. 

3. Antibiotic use module

   This module is organised annually and information is collected about antibiotic use for each participating LTCF via the LTCF-pharmacies in cooperation with the Elderly Care Physicians. The results provide insight into local antibiotic use and the possibility of benchmarking.

4. In-depth surveillance module

   The topics of this in-depth module vary on an annual basis  and is often combined with one of our other modules.