Non-SARS-CoV-2 Infections Among Patients Evaluated for MIS-C Associated With COVID-19

Clinical features of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19 are nonspecific. In this retrospective cohort study of 39 patients evaluated for MIS-C, 11 had non-SARS-CoV-2 infections, 3 of whom were also diagnosed with MIS-C. Clinical features were similar in patients with MIS-C and patients with non-SARS-CoV-2 infections. Clinicians should consider non-SARS-CoV-2 infections in patients undergoing MIS-C evaluation.

Trends in Pediatric Candidemia: Epidemiology, Anti-Fungal Susceptibility, and Patient Characteristics in a Children's Hospital

Candida bloodstream infections (CBSIs) have decreased among pediatric populations in the United States, but remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Species distributions and susceptibility patterns of CBSI isolates diverge widely between children and adults. The awareness of these patterns can inform clinical decision-making for empiric or pre-emptive therapy of children at risk for candidemia. CBSIs occurring from 2006-2016 among patients in a large children's hospital were analyzed for age specific trends in incidence rate, risk factors for breakthrough-CBSI, and death, as well as underlying conditions. Candida species distributions and susceptibility patterns were evaluated in addition to the anti-fungal agent use. The overall incidence rate of CBSI among this complex patient population was 1.97/1000 patient-days. About half of CBSI episodes occurred in immunocompetent children and 14% in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients. Anti-fungal resistance was minimal: 96.7% of isolates were fluconazole, 99% were micafungin, and all were amphotericin susceptible. Liposomal amphotericin was the most commonly prescribed anti-fungal agent included for NICU patients. Overall, CBSI-associated mortality was 13.7%; there were no deaths associated with CBSI among NICU patients after 2011. Pediatric CBSI characteristics differ substantially from those in adults. The improved management of underlying diseases and antimicrobial stewardship may further decrease morbidity and mortality from CBSI, while continuing to maintain low resistance rates among Candida isolates.

Facilitators and barriers to a family empowerment strategy to improve healthcare worker hand hygiene in a resource-limited setting

OBJECTIVES

The World Health Organization recommends empowering patients/families to remind healthcare workers (HCWs) to perform hand hygiene (HH). We sought to understand acceptability of a family empowerment strategy in a Vietnamese pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

METHODS

With end-user input, we designed a tool to help families in a PICU in Vietnam to remind HCWs to perform HH. We conducted 3 preliminary focus group discussions (FGDs) with patients' family members (n = 8), physicians (n = 9), and nurses (n = 8) to understand acceptability of preliminary tools, attitudes towards HH and barriers to HH. Tools were then modified and implemented in a 5-week intervention study. We then conducted 3 more FGDs with families (n = 7), physicians (n = 7), and nurses (n = 8). Discussions were analyzed using qualitative directed content analysis. Families who used the tool were asked to complete written surveys.

FINDINGS

Both family members and HCWs felt that HCWs had a responsibility to perform HH. Barriers to performing HH were identified, including forgetfulness and time constraints. Family members felt shy reminding HCWs to perform HH. However, the HH reminder tool was acceptable, and some felt it could overcome barriers to reminding HCWs to perform HH. HCWs felt embarrassed when reminded to perform HH, but felt that the reminder was useful. Nearly all (99%) survey respondents felt that family members should speak up if they noticed HCWs omitting HH.

CONCLUSIONS

A tool given to families to remind HCWs to perform HH was largely acceptable in a pediatric ICU in Vietnam. Perceived benefits of improving HH were felt to surmount barriers to tool use.

The Role of Anesthetic Management in Surgical Site Infections After Pediatric Intestinal Surgery

BACKGROUND

Although surgical site infections (SSIs) remain a significant health care issue, a limited number of studies have analyzed risk factors for SSIs in children, particularly the role of intraoperative anesthetic management. Pediatric patients are less likely to have major adult risk factors for SSIs such as smoking and diabetes. Thus children may be more suitable as a cohort for examining the role of intraoperative anesthetics in SSIs.

AIM

We examined an association between SSI incidence and anesthetic management in children who underwent elective intestinal surgery in a single institution.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study of 621 patients who underwent elective intestinal surgery under general anesthesia between January 2017 and September 2019, with primary outcome as the incidence of SSIs. We compared patients who were dichotomized in accordance with the median of the sevoflurane dose. We used propensity score (PS) pairwise matching of these patients to avoid selection biases. PS matching yielded 204 pairs of patients.

RESULTS

We found that higher doses of sevoflurane were associated with a higher incidence of SSIs (9.8% versus 3.9%, P = 0.019). We adjusted for intraoperative factors that were not included in the PS adjustment factors, and multivariate regression analysis after PS matching showed compatible results (odds ratio: 2.58, 95% confidence interval: 1.11-6.04, P = 0.028).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher doses of sevoflurane are associated with increased odds of SSIs after pediatric elective intestinal surgery. A randomized controlled study of volatile anesthetic-based versus intravenous anesthetic-based anesthesia will be needed to further determine the role of anesthetic drugs in SSI risk.

Genomic and epidemiological evidence of bacterial transmission from probiotic capsule to blood in ICU patients

Probiotics are routinely administered to hospitalized patients for many potential indications1 but have been associated with adverse effects that may outweigh their potential benefits2-7. It is particularly alarming that probiotic strains can cause bacteremia8,9, yet direct evidence for an ancestral link between blood isolates and administered probiotics is lacking. Here we report a markedly higher risk of Lactobacillus bacteremia for intensive care unit (ICU) patients treated with probiotics compared to those not treated, and provide genomics data that support the idea of direct clonal transmission of probiotics to the bloodstream. Whole-genome-based phylogeny showed that Lactobacilli isolated from treated patients' blood were phylogenetically inseparable from Lactobacilli isolated from the associated probiotic product. Indeed, the minute genetic diversity among the blood isolates mostly mirrored pre-existing genetic heterogeneity found in the probiotic product. Some blood isolates also contained de novo mutations, including a non-synonymous SNP conferring antibiotic resistance in one patient. Our findings support that probiotic strains can directly cause bacteremia and adaptively evolve within ICU patients.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Clostridium difficile Infection in Adults and Children: 2017 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA)

A panel of experts was convened by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) to update the 2010 clinical practice guideline on Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in adults. The update, which has incorporated recommendations for children (following the adult recommendations for epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment), includes significant changes in the management of this infection and reflects the evolving controversy over best methods for diagnosis. Clostridium difficile remains the most important cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea and has become the most commonly identified cause of healthcare-associated infection in adults in the United States. Moreover, C. difficile has established itself as an important community pathogen. Although the prevalence of the epidemic and virulent ribotype 027 strain has declined markedly along with overall CDI rates in parts of Europe, it remains one of the most commonly identified strains in the United States where it causes a sizable minority of CDIs, especially healthcare-associated CDIs. This guideline updates recommendations regarding epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, infection prevention, and environmental management.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Clostridium difficile Infection in Adults and Children: 2017 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA)

A panel of experts was convened by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) to update the 2010 clinical practice guideline on Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in adults. The update, which has incorporated recommendations for children (following the adult recommendations for epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment), includes significant changes in the management of this infection and reflects the evolving controversy over best methods for diagnosis. Clostridium difficile remains the most important cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea and has become the most commonly identified cause of healthcare-associated infection in adults in the United States. Moreover, C. difficile has established itself as an important community pathogen. Although the prevalence of the epidemic and virulent ribotype 027 strain has declined markedly along with overall CDI rates in parts of Europe, it remains one of the most commonly identified strains in the United States where it causes a sizable minority of CDIs, especially healthcare-associated CDIs. This guideline updates recommendations regarding epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, infection prevention, and environmental management.

Limiting Vancomycin Exposure in Pediatric Oncology Patients With Febrile Neutropenia May Be Associated With Decreased Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus Incidence

BACKGROUND

Limited data exists regarding the effects of empiric antibiotic use in pediatric oncology patients with febrile neutropenia (FN) on the development of antibiotic resistance. We evaluated the impact of a change in our empiric FN guideline limiting vancomycin exposure on the development of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus in pediatric oncology patients.

METHODS

Retrospective, quasi-experimental, single-center study using interrupted timeseries analysis in oncology patients aged ≤18 years with at least 1 admission for FN between 2009 and 2015. Risk strata incorporated diagnosis, chemotherapy phase, Down syndrome, septic shock, and typhlitis. Microbiologic data and inpatient antibiotic use were obtained by chart review. Segmented Poisson regression was used to compare VRE incidence and antibiotic days of therapy (DOT) before and after the intervention.

RESULTS

We identified 285 patients with 697 FN episodes pre-intervention and 309 patients with 691 FN episodes postintervention. The proportion of high-risk episodes was similar in both periods (49% vs 48%). Empiric vancomycin DOT/1000 FN days decreased from 315 pre-intervention to 164 post-intervention (P < .01) in high-risk episodes and from 199 to 115 in standard risk episodes (P < .01). Incidence of VRE/1000 patient-days decreased significantly from 2.53 pre-intervention to 0.90 post-intervention (incidence rate ratio, 0.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.04-0.47; P = .002).

CONCLUSIONS

A FN guideline limiting empiric vancomycin exposure was associated with a decreased incidence of VRE among pediatric oncology patients. Antimicrobial stewardship interventions are feasible in immunocompromised patients and can impact antibiotic resistance.

Reducing Redundant Anaerobic Therapy Through Spaced Education and Antimicrobial Stewardship Interventions

BACKGROUND

Decreasing the use of redundant anaerobic therapy is a key target for antimicrobial stewardship. Education techniques that optimize knowledge retention could be an important component of reducing these regimens.

METHODS

We implemented a quality improvement project that incorporated spaced education to reduce the use of redundant anaerobic therapy. The initial interventions (November through December 2015) included education in a hospital-wide newsletter and review of redundant anaerobic regimens by the antimicrobial stewardship program. A spaced education module was then developed with the gastroenterology (GI) service, which had a relatively high rate of redundant anaerobic therapy use. Ten questions with teaching points were delivered to GI physicians at spaced intervals over 2 to 4 weeks (February through March 2016). Knowledge scores were compared at initial and final question presentation using generalized estimating equations. Interrupted time-series analysis was used to compare the rates of redundant-metronidazole-days per 1000 patient-days among patients in the patients admitted to the GI service and those in the non-GI group before and after the intervention.

RESULTS

Of 66 GI physicians, 56 (85%) participated in the spaced education activity. After the intervention, their knowledge scores on all the questions improved, and their mean knowledge score increased from 57% to 86% (P < .001). Nearly all (91%) of the participants were very or generally satisfied with the activity. In the GI group, the rate of redundant-metronidazole-days decreased from 26.2 to 13.0 per 1000 patient-days (relative risk [RR], 0.45 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.27-0.73]; P = .001). This rate in the non-GI group also decreased from 5.47 to 2.18 per 1000 patient-days (RR, 0.47 [95% CI, 0.36-0.60]; P < .001) after our interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

Spaced education is an effective approach for teaching antimicrobial stewardship topics. Focused provider education was associated with a sustained reduction in the use of redundant anaerobic therapy.

280. The Impact of a Revised Neutropenic Fever Guideline on Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus Rates in Pediatric Oncology Patients

Background

Data on the impact of empiric febrile neutropenia (FN) guidelines on resistant bacteria in pediatric oncology patients are limited. We implemented a risk-stratified guideline for empiric FN antibiotics, limiting vancomycin use to high-risk patients for 48 hours if cultures were negative. Our aim was to assess the impact of this intervention on rates of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) and vancomycin use.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective, quasi-experimental study of oncology patients ≤ 18 years with FN admitted from 2010 to 2014. Microbiologic data and inpatient antibiotic use were obtained by chart review. Risk strata incorporated diagnosis, chemotherapy phase, Down syndrome, septic shock, and typhlitis. The primary outcome was VRE incidence; all VRE isolates were included but active surveillance was only performed in intensive care units (ICUs) in both periods. We compared VRE incidence and antibiotic days of therapy (DOT) before and after the intervention using interrupted time-series analysis with segmented Poisson regression with auto-correlation.

Results

We identified 183 patients with 765 admissions and 382 FN episodes pre-intervention, and 185 patients with 830 admissions and 385 FN episodes post-intervention. The proportion of high-risk patients was 51% pre vs. 45% post (P = 0.06). Median length of stay for FN admissions was 7 days (IQR: 4–22) preintervention and 5 days (IQR: 3–15) postintervention (P ≤ 0.01). Median duration of empiric vancomycin decreased from 5 days (IQR: 3–9) pre- to 3 days (IQR: 3–4) postintervention (P ≤ 0.01). Empiric vancomycin DOT/1,000 FN days decreased from 287 preintervention to 199 postintervention (P ≤ 0.01). Incidence of VRE/1,000 patient-days decreased significantly from 1.71 preintervention to 0.45 postintervention (IRR=0.26, 95% CI 0.09–0.80; P = 0.02). The proportion of VRE isolates representing colonization did not differ significantly pre- and postintervention (50% vs. 67%).

Conclusion

Implementation of an FN guideline limiting vancomycin exposure was associated with decreased incidence of VRE among pediatric oncology patients. Antimicrobial stewardship interventions are feasible in immunocompromised patients and can impact antibiotic resistance.

Disclosures

All authors: No reported disclosures.

Promoting Resident Professional Development Using Scholarly Academies

Promoting professional development is a challenging but vital component of residency training. We created resident academies (scholarly homes) that aimed to develop academic skills, enhance mentorship, and create a sense of community based on scholarly interest.

Adherence to guidelines for testing and treatment of children with pharyngitis: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Group A streptococcus (GAS) is the most common bacterial etiology of pharyngitis but is difficult to distinguish clinically from viral pharyngitis. There are benefits to early antibacterial treatment of GAS pharyngitis, but administering antibiotics to children with viral pharyngitis is ineffective and costly. We evaluated adherence to guidelines that were developed to help clinicians distinguish between viral and GAS pharyngitis and guide management.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of patients ages 3-18 who had a rapid streptococcal test and/or throat culture performed in an outpatient setting. We collected data on documentation of components of the McIsaac score and classified tests as indicated if the score was ≥2. Based on McIsaac score and GAS test results, we determined whether each antibiotic course prescribed was indicated according to the Infectious Diseases Society of America guideline.

RESULTS

Among 291 eligible children, 87 (30%) had all five components of the McIsaac score documented. There was sufficient data to classify the score as either < 2 or ≥2 in 234 (80%); among these, 96% of tests were indicated. Twenty-nine patients (10%) were prescribed antibiotics. Eight (28%) of these prescriptions were not indicated according to guidelines.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of GAS tests in children with pharyngitis are indicated, although providers do not regularly document all elements of a validated pharyngitis scoring tool. Over one quarter of children prescribed antibiotics for pharyngitis did not require antibiotics according to guidelines. There remains a role for targeted antimicrobial stewardship education regarding pharyngitis management in pediatric outpatient settings.

Clinical Utility of Preimplantation Homograft Cultures in Patients Undergoing Congenital Cardiac Surgery

Institutional practice at our hospital (Boston Children's Hospital) is to culture homografts before implantation during congenital cardiac surgery. Over a 4-year period, 5% (73 of 1376) of these cultures were positive, but the results had minimal clinical impact. Our experience demonstrates that there is limited utility in preimplantation cultures of cardiac homografts.

A qualitative study to identify reasons for Clostridium difficile testing in pediatric inpatients receiving laxatives or stool softeners

To understand why clinicians send Clostridium difficile tests from hospitalized children receiving laxatives or stool softeners, we performed a mixed-methods study. We prospectively identified tested patients and surveyed their clinicians by e-mail. Reasons for testing included changes in stooling pattern on baseline bowel regimen, other changes in clinical status, and risk factors for C difficile infection. Education targeting discontinuing bowel medications before C difficile testing could improve the specificity of pediatric C difficile infection diagnosis.

National Variability and Appropriateness of Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis in US Children's Hospitals

IMPORTANCE

Appropriate use of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) reduces surgical site infection rates, but prior data suggest variability in use patterns.

OBJECTIVE

To assess national variability and appropriateness of AP in pediatric surgical patients.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Retrospective cohort study of 31 freestanding children's hospitals in the United States using administrative data from 2010-2013. The study included 603 734 children younger than 18 years who underwent one of the 45 most commonly performed operations.

EXPOSURES

Receipt of surgical AP.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Primary outcomes included procedure- and hospital-specific rates of AP use and appropriateness of use based on clinical guidelines and consensus statements. We also assessed rates of Clostridium difficile infection and potential allergic reactions (using epinephrine administration as a surrogate event) after AP receipt.

RESULTS

Of the 603 734 eligible patients, the mean (SD) patient age was 4.8 (4.4) years and 384 571 (63.7%) were boys. For the 671 255 operations evaluated, AP was administered for 348 119 (52%) of procedures. Intrahospital variation in AP use by procedure ranged from 11.5% to 100% (median, 78.1%). Overall, AP use was considered appropriate for 64.6% of cases. Appropriate use of AP by hospital varied from 47.3% to 84.4% with large variability by procedure within each hospital. For procedures for which AP was indicated, the median rate of appropriate use by hospital was 93.8%; however, for procedures for which AP was not indicated, the median rate of appropriate use by hospital was 52.0%. The odds of C difficile infection and epinephrine administration were significantly higher among children who received AP (odds ratio, 3.34; 95% CI, 1.66-6.73 and odds ratio 1.97; 95% CI, 1.92-2.02; respectively).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

There is substantial national variability in the overall and appropriate use of AP for the most commonly performed operations in children both at a procedure and hospital level. A high proportion of AP use is inappropriate, potentially exposing many children to avoidable adverse events. Urgent attention should be directed to efforts to standardize the use of surgical AP in pediatrics.

Ventilator-Associated Events in Neonates and Children--A New Paradigm

OBJECTIVES

To identify a pediatric ventilator-associated condition definition for use in neonates and children by exploring whether potential ventilator-associated condition definitions identify patients with worse outcomes.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study and a matched cohort analysis.

SETTING

Pediatric, cardiac, and neonatal ICUs in five U.S. hospitals.

PATIENTS

Children 18 years old or younger ventilated for at least 1 day.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

We evaluated the evidence of worsening oxygenation via a range of thresholds for increases in daily minimum fraction of inspired oxygen (by 0.20, 0.25, and 0.30) and daily minimum mean airway pressure (by 4, 5, 6, and 7 cm H2O). We required worsening oxygenation be sustained for at least 2 days after at least 2 days of stability. We matched patients with a ventilator-associated condition to those without and used Cox proportional hazard models with frailties to examine associations with hospital mortality, hospital and ICU length of stay, and duration of ventilation. The cohort included 8,862 children with 10,209 hospitalizations and 77,751 ventilator days. For the fraction of inspired oxygen 0.25/mean airway pressure 4 definition (i.e., increase in minimum daily fraction of inspired oxygen by 0.25 or mean airway pressure by 4), rates ranged from 2.9 to 3.2 per 1,000 ventilator days depending on ICU type; the fraction of inspired oxygen 0.30/mean airway pressure 7 definition yielded ventilator-associated condition rates of 1.1-1.3 per 1,000 ventilator days. All definitions were significantly associated with greater risk of hospital death, with hazard ratios ranging from 1.6 (95% CI, 0.7-3.4) to 6.8 (2.9-16.0), depending on thresholds and ICU type. Each definition was associated with prolonged hospitalization, time in ICU, and duration of ventilation, among survivors. The advisory board of the study proposed using the fraction of inspired oxygen 0.25/mean airway pressure 4 thresholds to identify pediatric ventilator-associated conditions in ICUs.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric patients with ventilator-associated conditions are at substantially higher risk for mortality and morbidity across ICUs, regardless of thresholds used. Next steps include identification of risk factors, etiologies, and preventative measures for pediatric ventilator-associated conditions.

Beyond the Bundle: A Survey of Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infection Prevention Practices Used in US and Canadian Pediatric Hospitals

We surveyed US and Canadian pediatric hospitals about their use of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) prevention strategies beyond typical insertion and maintenance bundles. We found wide variation in supplemental strategies across hospitals and in their penetration within hospitals. Future studies should assess specific adjunctive prevention strategies and CLABSI rates.

Risk Factors for Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infection in Pediatric Intensive Care Units

Objective.

We sought to identify risk factors for central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) to describe children who might benefit from adjunctive interventions.

Design.

Case-control study of children admitted to the medical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU) or cardiac ICU from January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2007.

Setting.

Children's Hospital Boston is a freestanding, 396-bed quaternary care pediatric hospital with a 29-bed medical-surgical ICU and a 24-bed cardiac ICU.

Patients.

Case patients were patients with CLABSI who were identified by means of prospective surveillance. Control subjects were patients with a central venous catheter who were matched by ICU admission date.

Methods.

Multivariate conditional logistic regression models were used to identify independent risk factors for CLABSI and to derive and to validate a prediction rule.

Results.

Two hundred three case patients were matched with 406 control subjects. Independent predictors of CLABSI included duration of ICU central access (odds ratio [OR] for 15 or more days, 18.41 [95% confidence interval {CI} 4.10-82.56]; P < .001), central venous catheter placement in the ICU (OR for 2 or more ICU-placed catheters, 8.63 [95% CI, 2.63-28.38]; P = .001), nonoperative cardiovascular disease (OR, 7.44 [95% CI, 2.13-25.98]; P = .012), presence of gastrostomy tube (OR, 3.48 [95% CI, 1.55-7.79]; P = .003), receipt of parenteral nutrition (OR, 3.12 [95% CI, 1.55-6.32]; P= .002), and receipt of blood transfusion (OR, 2.55 [95% CI, 1.21-5.36]; P = .014). By use of risk factors known before central venous catheter placement, our model predicted CLABSI with a positive predictive value of 54% and a negative predictive value of 79%.

Conclusions.

Duration of central access, receipt of parenteral nutrition, and receipt of blood transfusion were confirmed as risk factors for CLABSI among children in the ICU. Newly identified risk factors include presence of gastrostomy tube, nonoperative cardiovascular disease, and ICU placement of central venous catheter. Children with these risk factors may be candidates for adjunctive interventions for CLABSI prevention.