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FAQs About Enrollment
- Where do I obtain the initial registration form?
- Are we able to access and enter this enrollment process currently?
- Can we have more than one computer in a facility access the NHSN?
- Can more than one person be designated as an NHSN Facility Administrator?
- What is the difference between an NHSN Facility Administrator and an NHSN user with administrative rights?
- Should an NHSN Administrator enter data as an administrator or create a separate user account for data entry?
- I am in the process of enrolling my facility and I have not received a required email. What do I do?
- What is the limit on the number of people designated as facility administrators and patient safety contacts?
- Can an ICP enter data for 2 separate facilities; does she/he have to be signed up as a user for each facility?
- I will be using my PC at work and also a laptop at home. Do I need to do anything special when enrolling?
- How should I enroll facilities and units that are physically separate from each other in NHSN?
Where do I obtain the initial registration form?
The NHSN Registration form can be accessed at this website.
Are we able to access and enter this enrollment process currently?
Yes. NHSN is now enrolling hospitals (including long term acute care and rehabilitation), outpatient hemodialysis centers, long term care facilities, and ambulatory surgical centers.
Can we have more than one computer in a facility access the NHSN?
Yes, you can have as many different computers as you need for accessing the NHSN. Each individual user must obtain access to SAMS and will be able to log into NHSN from any computer with their SAMS password and grid card. For more information about SAMS, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/sams/about-sams.html.
Can more than one person be designated as an NHSN Facility Administrator?
No. During enrollment, only one NHSN Facility Administrator is named. This individual enrolls the facility, adds users and then gives those users whichever rights are most appropriate, including administrative rights. Therefore, more than one person per facility can have administrative rights, but only one will be designated as the NHSN Facility Administrator.
What is the difference between an NHSN Facility Administrator and an NHSN user with administrative rights?
The NHSN Facility Administrator is the only individual who enrolls the facility in NHSN. In addition the NHSN Facility Administrator is the only person who can reassign the role of Facility Administrator to another existing user.
Should an NHSN Administrator enter data as an administrator or create a separate user account for data entry?
The NHSN Facility Administrator is automatically set up to be a user. There is no need to create a separate “user” account for this person.
I am in the process of enrolling my facility and I have not received a required email. What do I do?
First, consult with your IT staff to be sure your email allows you to receive emails from nhsn@cdc.gov and sams-no-reply@cdc.gov. Second, contact the NHSN at nhsn@cdc.gov and inform us as to where you are in the enrollment process so that we can provide further instruction.
What is the limit on the number of people designated as facility administrators and patient safety contacts?
A facility can have only one NHSN Facility Administrator and one Primary Patient Safety Contact, and up to a total of 30 users. Users are added from the “Users” section of the Navigation Bar by the NHSN Facility Administrator.
Can an ICP enter data for 2 separate facilities; does she/he have to be signed up as a user for each facility?
Yes, an individual can be a user at more than one facility as long as the same e-mail address is used in the user’s profile at all their facilities.
I will be using my PC at work and also a laptop at home. Do I need to do anything special when enrolling?
No, you will not need to do anything special. You will be able to access NHSN via SAMS from any computer with your SAMS password and grid card.
How should I enroll facilities and units that are physically separate from each other in NHSN?
Facilities should refer to the guidance outlined in the following document: How-Facilities-Report.C19-VaxData-508 [PDF – 233 KB]
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