In February 2006, the Ministry of Health released the first public version of a composite indicator tracking activities to combat healthcare-associated infections. Developing and disseminating indicators is a scientific and pragmatic process: the goal is to provide relevant and easily understandable information about the quality of the healthcare system. The development of indicators on nosocomial infections relies on expertise within the Ministry of Health and a pre-existing information system. The strengths include the integration of the indicators into a national program, a stated goal from the outset (transparency and improvement of the quality of care), quantified objectives, and a definition based on expertise combined with a feasibility test conducted as part of a national research project. Defining consensus-based methods for measuring and reporting performance requires a significant collaborative effort. (R.A.)