Which of the following is not a step for surveillance?

Surveillance in infection prevention primarily focuses on the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data related to infections. This process helps in identifying trends, outbreaks, and areas that may require targeted interventions. One of the key components of surveillance is the collection and calculation of infection data, along with reporting and utilizing this information for improved patient outcomes and safety.

Applying risk stratification is also a crucial step in surveillance as it helps to categorize patients based on their likelihood of infection, thus allowing for more focused monitoring and preventive measures.

In contrast, a physical assessment of each patient, while important for overall patient care, is not a step directly related to the surveillance process itself. Surveillance is data-driven and analytical, relying on aggregated and systematic data rather than individual patient assessments. Therefore, the physical assessment of each patient does not align with the core activities of surveillance, making it the correct response in this context.