Incidences and influences of device-associated healthcare-associated infections in a pediatric intensive care unit in Japan: a retrospective surveillance study

Catheter-associated urinary tract infection and urinary tract abnormalities in young children: A retrospective study

INTRODUCTION

Studies investigating the role of urinary tract abnormalities in the development of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) in young children are limited. Thus, in the present study, we aimed to determine whether there is an association between CAUTI and urinary tract abnormalities.

METHODS

We performed abdominal imaging studies on all patients aged <6 years with CAUTI admitted to the pediatric intensive care units (PICU) and high care unit (HCU) at Keio university or Fukuoka Children's Hospital from April 1, 2018 to July 31, 2022. Among 40 children who developed CAUTI, 13 (33 %) had abnormal urogenital images. Further, two case-control studies were conducted before and after propensity score matching, and the groups were compared using multivariable logistic regression models to analyze the effects of various factors on CAUTI development.

RESULTS

In the multivariate logistic regression models, abnormal urogenital images (OR 5.30 [95 % CI, 2.40-11.7] and OR 3.44 [95 % CI, 1.16-9.93]) and duration of catheterization >10 days (OR 2.76 [95 % CI, 1.28-5.96] and OR 3.44 [95 % CI, 1.16-9.93]) were found to be significantly associated with development of CAUTI, both before (39 cases, 459 controls) and after propensity score matching (36 cases, 72 controls). Further, CAUTI in young children in the PICU or HCU was significantly associated with imaging abnormalities of the urinary tract.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that not only the presence of catheters, but also urinary tract malformations may contribute to the development of CAUTI in young children.

Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit-Incidence and Strategies for Prevention

The second most prevalent healthcare-associated infection in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) is ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). This review aims to update the knowledge regarding the incidence of neonatal VAP and to summarize possible strategies for prevention. The VAP incidence ranges from 1.4 to 7 episodes per 1000 ventilator days in developed countries and from 16.1 to 89 episodes per 1000 ventilator days in developing countries. This nosocomial infection is linked to higher rates of illness, death, and longer hospital stays, which imposes a substantial financial burden on both the healthcare system and families. Due to the complex nature of the pathophysiology of VAP, various approaches for its prevention in the neonatal intensive care unit have been suggested. There are two main categories of preventative measures: those that attempt to reduce infections in general (such as decontamination and hand hygiene) and those that target VAP in particular (such as VAP care bundles, head of bed elevation, and early extubation). Some of the interventions, including practicing good hand hygiene and feeding regimens, are easy to implement and have a significant impact. One of the measures that seems very promising and encompasses a lot of the preventive measures for VAP are the bundles. Some preventive measures still need to be studied.

Device Exposure and Patient Risk Factors’ Impact on the Healthcare-Associated Infection Rates in PICUs

Healthcare-associated infections related to device use (DA-HAIs) are a serious public health problem since they increase mortality, length of hospital stay and healthcare costs. We performed a multicenter, prospective study analyzing critically ill pediatric patients admitted to 26 Spanish pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) over a 3-month period each year from 2014 to 2019. To make comparisons and evaluate the influence of HAI Zero Bundles (care bundles that intend to reduce the DA-HAI rates to zero) on PICU HAI rates, the analysis was divided into two periods: 2014–2016 and 2017–2019 (once most of the units had incorporated all the Zero Bundles). A total of 11,260 pediatric patients were included. There were 390 episodes of HAIs in 317 patients and the overall rate of HAIs was 6.3 per 1000 patient days. The DA-HAI distribution was: 2.46/1000 CVC days for central-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), 5.75/1000 MV days for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and 3.6/1000 UC days for catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Comparing the two periods, the HAI rate decreased (p = 0.061) as well as HAI episodes (p = 0.011). The results demonstrate that exposure to devices constitutes an extrinsic risk factor for acquiring HAIs. The multivariate analysis highlights previous bacterial colonization by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria as the most important extrinsic risk factor for HAIs (OR 20.4; 95%CI 14.3–29.1). In conclusion, HAI Zero Bundles have been shown to decrease HAI rates, and the focus should be on the prompt removal of devices, especially in children with important intrinsic risk factors.

Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Prevention in Pediatric Patients: Narrative Review

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), one of the most common healthcare-associated infections in intensive care settings, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. VAP is diagnosed in >10% of patients on mechanical ventilation, incidence rising with number of ventilator days. In recent decades, the pathophysiology of VAP, VAP risk factors and treatment have been extensively studied. In critically ill pediatric patients, mechanical issues such as insufficient tightness of the ventilator circuit (mainly due to historically based preference of uncuffed tubes) and excessive humidity in the circuit are both significant risk factors of VAP development. Protocol-based approaches to critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation, closed suctioning, upper body position, enteral feeding and selective gastric acid suppression medication have a beneficial effect on VAP incidence. In recent decades, cuffed tubes applied to the whole spectrum of critically ill pediatric patients (except neonates <2700 g of weight), together with cuff-oriented nursing care including proper cuff-pressure (<20 cm H2O) management and the use of specialized tracheal tubes with subglottic suction ports combined with close infraglottic tracheal suctioning, have been implemented. The aim of this review was to summarize the current evidence-based knowledge about the pathophysiology, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of VAP in clinically oriented settings.

Bir yoğun bakım ünitesinde sık görülen enfeksiyonların önlenmesi için bir bakım paketinin etkinlik ve maliyetinin analizi: Yarı deneysel bir öntest-sontest tasarım çalışması

Amaç Sağlık hizmeti ilişkili enfeksiyonlar hasta güvenliğini tehdit etmekte, hastanede yatış süresinin uzamasına, morbidite, mortalite ve maliyetlerin artmasına neden olmaktadır. Bu çalışma, sağlık hizmeti ilişkili enfeksiyonları önlemeye yönelik müdahalelerin etkinliğini ve bu müdahalelerin maliyete etkisini değerlendirmek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Metod Bu araştırma bir yoğun bakım ünitesinde 1 Ocak – 30 Haziran 2018 ile 1 Ekim 2018 – 31 Mart 2019 tarihleri arasında 27 eğitim öncesi ve 27 eğitim sonrası olmak üzere toplam 54 hasta ile yarı deneysel ön test-son test tasarım çalışması olarak yapılmıştır. Bulgular Çalışmada enfeksiyon oranları Ocak-Mart 2018'de 20.34, Nisan-Haziran 2018'de 25.7, Ekim-Aralık 2018'de 20.97 ve Ocak-Mart 2019'da 17.77 olarak bulunmuştur. Dört farklı dönemin enfeksiyon oranları karşılaştırıldığında, eğitim öncesine göre eğitim sonrasında enfeksiyon oranlarında azalma olduğu ancak bu düşüşün istatistiksel olarak anlamlı olmadığı saptanmıştır (p>0.05). Eğitim öncesi ortalama maliyet 11361.35₺, eğitim sonrası ortalama maliyet 9149.87₺ olarak belirlenmiştir. Tüm maliyetlerin en önemlisi olan ortalama yatak maliyeti eğitim öncesine göre %95 güven aralığında %25,7 oranında azalmıştır. (5241.86₺-13251.50₺, sırasıyla 3489.03₺-10257.41₺). Sonuç Sonuç olarak, çalışmada eğitimin yoğun bakım hemşirelerinin sağlık hizmeti ilişkili enfeksiyonlara ilişkin puanlarında anlamlı bir artış sağladığı, sağlık hizmeti ilişkili enfeksiyon oranlarında, hastanede kalış sürelerinde ve eğitim sonrası maliyette istatistiksel olarak anlamlı olmasa da azalma sağladığı belirlenmiştir.

Analysis of healthcare-associated infection in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital heart disease in PICU: Evidence from a tertiary hospital in western China

OBJECTIVE

The present study intends to analyze the targeted surveillance and risk factors for healthcare-associated infection (HAI) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital heart disease (CHD-PAH) in a Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and provide basis for formulating relevant prevention and control measures of HAI.

METHODS

Children (≤14 years old) who were admitted to the PICU for ≥2 calendar days from January 2018 to December 2021 were included. Targeted surveillance of HAI was described.

RESULTS

A total of 7,828 patients in PICU were monitored, and the total hospitalization days of the patients were 36,174. 108 cases of HAI occurred, with a per-case infection rate of 1.38% and a per-thousand day infection rate of 2.99. 1,129 patients with CHD-PAH were included, among which the total hospitalization days were 1,483. In this subpopulation, 38 cases of HAI were diagnosed, with a per-case infection rate of 3.37% and a per-thousand day infection rate of 25.62. The main site of HAI was lower respiratory tract (43.51%), followed by blood infection (34.26%) and surgical site infection (9.26%). 36 strains of pathogenic bacteria were detected from patients with HAI. The top three pathogens with the highest detection rate were Klebsiella pneumoniae (6 episodes, 16.67%), Enterococcus faecium (6 episodes, 16.67%) and Acinetobacter baumannii (4 episodes, 11.11%). The incidence of VAP, CAUTI and CLABSI was 2.78, 0.08 and 1.66 per 1,000 catheter days respectively. Analysis revealed that patients with CHD-PAH were younger and prone to receive surgical corrections. CHD-PAH could significantly increase the length of ICU stay, ventilator days, times of central venous catheterization and central venous catheterization days. The choice of different central venous catheter types differed significantly between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Patients with CHD-PAH are characterized with excessive central venous catheterization operations, prolonged indwelling time, and more types of catheterization, which are considered to be risk factors for HAI, thus increasing the length of hospital stay. The clinical etiology is mainly G-bacteria, which requires reasonable selection of antibiotics and strict aseptic operation. Limiting unnecessary invasive procedures is helpful for reducing the incidence of postoperative HAI in PICU.

Device-related infections in a pediatric intensive care unit: The Jordan University of Science and Technology experience

To estimate the prevalence of the most frequent infections related to device utilization and their antimicrobial sensitivity panel, and to investigate the overall incidence of device associated infection rates per 1000 device days, at the pediatric intensive care unit of the Jordan University of Science and Technology.This is a retrospective study from a single pediatric intensive care unit. Data were collected in relation to bloodstream infections associated with central venous catheters, pneumonia associated with ventilator endotracheal tubes, and urinary tract infections associated with Foley catheters, between January 2013 and December 2018, according to the center of disease control and prevention protocols.During the 5-year study, 3195 patients were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit for a total of 16,487 days. Forty-six patients (1.4%) developed 55 infections, with a median incidence rate of 7.4, 3.7, and 0.7 per 1000 days for central line associated infections, ventilator associated pneumonia, and catheter associated infections, respectively. The commonest isolated microorganisms were gram-negative bacteria in 89.1% of cases, and fungi in 10.9% of cases. Among the resistant bacterial isolates, 59.2% were multidrug resistant, and 32.6% were extended spectrum beta lactamase producers Klebsiella pneumoniae and Eschericia coli. High infection rates were related to Acinetobacter baumannii and K pneumoniae, associated with high resistance to cephalosporins. Susceptibility was highest to tigecycline and imipenem at 42.9% and 32.7% respectively.Microbial isolates are commonly associated with healthcare device insertions in pediatric intensive care unit, invasive bacterial infections associated with critical morbidity and mortality. Further studies on device associated infections are recommended for regional profiling purposes.

Active Surveillance of Healthcare-associated Infections in Pediatric Intensive Care Units: Multicenter ECDC HAI-net ICU Protocol (v2.2) Implementation, Antimicrobial Resistance and Challenges

BACKGROUND

Surveillance is essential to all aspects of management of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in critically ill children, where data are limited. We conducted an active surveillance study to elucidate epidemiology, resistance, antimicrobial treatment practices and outcomes of pediatric intensive care unit-acquired HAIs in a southern European country.

METHODS

Four Greek pediatric intensive care unit encounters (153 patients, 2183 patient-days) during a 6-month period participated using the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control HAI-net ICU (v2.2) protocol. Bloodstream infections and device-associated HAIs were recorded. Clinical severity, isolated pathogens, antimicrobial resistance and antibiotic prescriptions were collected on a daily basis. Mortality and excess length of stay due to HAI were also assessed.

RESULTS

Overall rate of HAIs was 18.3 per 1000 patient-days. Aggregate rates for device-associated HAI were: catheter-related bloodstream infection 2.32, intubation-associated pneumonia 10.5, and catheter-associated urinary tract infection 4.6 per 1000 device-days. Children with HAI (n = 28, 18.3%) had higher severity of illness (Pediatric Risk Mortality Score 7.5 vs. 4, P < 0.001), longer hospitalization (23 vs. 6 days, P < 0.001), but not higher mortality, compared with those without. Most frequent recovered pathogens were Klebsiella pneumoniae (40%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22.5%), Acinetobacter baumannii (12.5%), with respective carbapenem resistance 50%, 44% and 80%, and Staphylococcus aureus (12.5%). Total antibiotic use was 2142 days of treatment per 1000 patient-days.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study, based on the updated ECDC HAI-net ICU (v2.2) protocol, effectively addresses the significant burden of HAIs in critically ill children in Greece. Using a well-standardized system facilitates inter- and intra-countries reliable recordings and comparative assessments of infection control programs.

Effects of Healthcare-Associated Infections on Length of PICU Stay and Mortality

OBJECTIVES

To identify the effects of healthcare-associated infections on length of PICU stay and mortality.

DESIGN

Retrospective, single-center, observational study.

SETTING

PICU of a tertiary children's hospital.

PATIENTS

Consecutive patients who stayed greater than 48 hours in the PICU between January 2013 and December 2017.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Data were retrospectively collected from medical records. We identified occurrences of common healthcare-associated infections, including bloodstream infection, pneumonia, and urinary tract infection, defined according to the 2008 definitions of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Healthcare Safety Network. We assessed the effects of each healthcare-associated infection on length of PICU stay and PICU mortality using multivariable analysis. Among 1,622 admissions with a PICU stay greater than 48 hours, the median age was 299 days and male patients comprised 51% of admissions. The primary diagnostic categories were cardiovascular (58% of admissions), respiratory (21%), gastrointestinal (8%), and neurologic/muscular (6%). The median length of PICU stay was 6 days, and the PICU mortality rate was 2.5%. A total of 167 healthcare-associated infections were identified, including 67 bloodstream infections (40%), 43 pneumonias (26%), and 57 urinary tract infections (34%). There were 152 admissions with at least one healthcare-associated infection (9.4% of admissions with a stay > 48 hr). On multivariable analysis, although each healthcare-associated infection was not significantly associated with mortality, bloodstream infection was associated with an extra length of PICU stay of 10.2 days (95% CI, 7.9-12.6 d), pneumonia 14.2 days (11.3-17.2 d), and urinary tract infection 6.5 days (4.0-9.0 d). Accordingly, 9.7% of patient-days were due to these three healthcare-associated infections among patients with a stay greater than 48 hours.

CONCLUSIONS

Although healthcare-associated infections were not associated with PICU mortality, they were associated with extra length of PICU stay. As 9.7% of patient-days were due to healthcare-associated infections, robust prevention efforts are warranted.

Interventions to prevent urinary catheter-associated infections in children and neonates: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Few data are available to inform strategies for the prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) in children and neonates. Many recommendations are derived from studies in adults and cannot be applied to the paediatric population.

OBJECTIVE

This study was aimed to identify all studies that measured the efficacy of an intervention for the prevention of CAUTI in children and neonates.

METHODS

A systematic review using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) was conducted. Eligible studies published between January 1st, 1995 and December 31st, 2017, were identified in PubMed, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, LILACS, SciELO and DOAJ if applying an intervention with the aim of CAUTI prevention in inpatient children, infants or neonates. The following study designs were included: controlled and non-controlled before-and-after studies, (controlled) interrupted time series analyses and randomized controlled trials. Quantitative or qualitative studies on interventions in both adults and children were eligible if data on children could be extracted. Reviews, case series, letters, notes, conference abstracts and opinion articles were excluded.

RESULTS

Of 99 articles identified, six were included in the final analysis, after consensus from three independent investigators. Four studies used a multimodal strategy (using at least four or more different components at the same time) as follows: aseptic rules during catheter insertion and removal; cleaning the urethral meatus with sterile water; use of a new silicone catheter per insertion with a closed sterile drainage system by a sterile technique; daily evaluation of catheter requirement; placement of indwelling urinary catheters only for approved indications; reducing of urinary catheter days and positioning of the patient and collection device to assist in urine drainage. One study tested periurethral cleaning intervention to reduce CAUTI. One study described the association of the presence of a physician safety champion with urinary catheter device utilization ratios. Catheter-associated UTI reduction rates were reported in four studies; three achieved statistically significant decreases in CAUTI rates. Positive results were achieved only when a multimodal strategy was used with at least four or more components. This strategy could be adopted for paediatric healthcare institutions to reduce CAUTI rates in children and neonates.

CONCLUSION

Evidence exists to support the use of a multimodal strategy for CAUTI reduction in hospitalized children and neonates.

Prevention of healthcare-associated infections in paediatric intensive care unit

INTRODUCTION

Healthcare-associated infections put a tremendous burden on health services around. In the last few decades, there has been a tremendous advancement in foetal and maternal care, and it has led to premature babies born as early as 25 weeks of gestation being nursed and cared for in neonatal and paediatric intensive care units. However, these children can pick up a number of uncommon and rare hospital-acquired infections including central nervous system (CNS) infections.

METHODS

The authors have given their own insight as to the prevention of healthcare-associated infections in paediatric intensive care settings and reviewed the current literature on the topic.

CONCLUSIONS

Healthcare-associated infections are largely preventable provided adequate prevention and protective measures are put in place and prevention guidelines are stritctly followed.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia in neonates and children: a systematic analysis of diagnostic methods and prevention

AIM

While ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) remains frequent in Pediatric ICU, there is no gold standard for diagnosis.

METHODOLOGY

We conducted a systematic PUBMED analysis (January 1990-January 2017) searching original, full-length studies addressing only pediatric patients; for VAP diagnosis, only those comparing different diagnostic methods and for VAP prevention those implementing preventive measures.

RESULTS

Among 367 articles, 17 and 16 were analyzed for diagnosis and prevention, respectively. For diagnosis, 13 studies used CDC criteria; whereas, 14 assessed algorithms: clinical pulmonary index score, ventilator-associated events and biomarkers. Among five randomized trials assessing preventive strategies one found a role of probiotics. Ventilator-care bundles reduced VAP rates.

CONCLUSION

Absence of diagnostic gold standard impedes comparison of current approaches and preventive strategies.

Presence of Invasive Devices and Risks of Healthcare-Associated Infections and Sepsis

The present study evaluated the daily risk of healthcare-associated infections and sepsis (HAIS) events in pediatric intensive care unit patients with invasive devices. This was a retrospective cohort study. Invasive devices were associated with significant daily risk of HAIS ( p  < 0.05). Endotracheal tubes posed the greatest risk of HAIS (hazard ratio [HR]: 4.39, confidence interval [CI]: 2.59-7.46). Children with both a central venous catheter (CVC) and urinary catheter (UC) had over 2.5-fold increased daily risk (HR: 2.59, CI: 1.18-5.68), in addition to daily CVC risk (HR: 3.06, CI: 1.38-6.77) and daily UC risk (HR: 8.9, CI: 3.62-21.91). We conclude that a multistate hazard model optimally predicts daily HAIS risk.

Central and peripheral line-associated bloodstream infections in Australian neonatal and paediatric intensive care units: findings from a comprehensive Victorian surveillance network, 2008-2016

BACKGROUND

Healthcare-associated infections in neonatal and paediatric populations are associated with poorer outcomes and healthcare costs, and surveillance is a necessary component of prevention programmes.

AIM

To evaluate burden of illness, aetiology, and time-trends for central and peripheral line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI and PLABSI) in Australian neonatal and paediatric intensive care units (ICUs) between July 1^st, 2008 and December 31^st, 2016.

METHODS

Using National Healthcare Safety Network methods, surveillance in neonatal and paediatric units was performed by hospitals participating in the Victorian Healthcare Associated Infection Surveillance System. Mixed effects Poisson regression was used to model infections over time.

FINDINGS

Overall, 82 paediatric CLABSI events were reported during 37,125 CVC-days (2.21 per 1000 CVC-days), 203 neonatal CLABSI events were reported during 92,169 CVC-days (2.20 per 1000 CVC-days), and 95 neonatal PLABSI events were reported during 142,240 peripheral line-days (0.67 per 1000 peripheral line-days). Over time, a significant decrease in quarterly risk for neonatal CLABSI events was observed (risk ratio (RR): 0.98; 95% confidence interval: 0.97-0.99; P = 0.023) and this reduction was significant for the 751-1000 g birth weight cohort (RR: 0.97; P = 0.015). Most frequently, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. (24.2%) and Staphylococcus aureus (16.1%) were responsible for CLABSI events. A significant reduction in Gram-negative neonatal infections was observed (annual RR: 0.85; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

CLABSI rates in neonatal and paediatric ICUs in our region are low, and neonatal infections have significantly diminished over time. Evaluation of infection prevention programmes is required to determine whether specific strategies can be implemented to further reduce infection risk.

Is there a role for clowns in paediatric intensive care units?

Hospital clowning is a programme in healthcare facilities involving visits from specially trained actors. In the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU), clowning may appear inappropriate and less intuitive. The patient could appear too ill and/or sedated, the environment too crowded or chaotic and the parents too stressed. Relying on our experience with professionally trained clowns both in France and Canada, the purpose of this article is to offer a model for hospital clowning and to suggest standards of practice for the implementation of clowning in PICUs. In this work, we provide a framework for the implementation of clown care in the PICU, to overcome the challenges related to the complex technical environment, the patient's critical illness and the high parental stress levels. Regardless of the specifics of the PICU, our experience suggests that professional clown activity is feasible, safe and can offer multiple benefits to the child, his/her parents and to hospital personnel. Due to the specific challenges in the PICU, clowns must be educated and prepared to work in this highly specialised environment. We stress that prior to clowning in a PICU, professional performers must be highly trained, experienced, abide by a code of ethics and be fully accepted by the treating healthcare team.