The Hospital Infection Society, in association with the Public Health Laboratory Service and the Infection Control Nurses Association, launched the Second National Prevalence Survey of Infection in Hospitals in 1993. On completion of the survey, 157 hospitals throughout the British Isles had taken part with approximately 37 000 patients surveyed. The survey in the Royal Hospitals Trust, Belfast, included all inpatients who were present in the wards on the survey day. Infection control nurses (ICNs) from a selected number of the other participating hospitals were sent questionnaires and asked about their methods of data collection, and their overall impression of the Second National Survey. All respondents received help in performing the survey, but only 10% provided prior training to ward staff before the survey visit. Sixty-five percent of respondents supplied information to the wards prior to the survey visit. In comparison with the questionnaire respondents, it was found that using a 'link' nurse to assist in data collection was much more efficient in relation to the time involved. Many ICNs expressed concern over the amount of time spent on this survey, although in general the value of such a survey was appreciated. Twenty-six percent of respondents indicated that they would not be willing to undertake a future survey.