Should public reporting be made for performance indicators on healthcare-associated infections?

There are still many uncertainties regarding the benefit of public reporting on indicators of healthcare-associated infections. Publishing the results of performance indicators in healthcare facilities seems to stimulate quality insurance activity, but for the moment, without any demonstrated impact on the rates of healthcare-associated infections. Furthermore, it is not proved that public reporting of these results is beneficial. The French Society for Hospital Hygiene, in this synthesis, considered the advantages and drawbacks of public reporting of healthcare-associated infections. Beyond the difficult choice of indicators, public reporting of such indicators requires taking many precautions listed in this article, including a broad dialogue between the various stakeholders involved, a test period, and mandatory control of the produced indicator validity by health authorities. (c) 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.