Ventilator-associated pneumonia in pediatric intensive care unit patients: risk factors and outcomes

Reducing VAP by instituting a care bundle using improvement methodology in a UK paediatric intensive care unit

Preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the Department of Health Saving Lives initiatives. We describe the institution of a purpose-designed bundle of care in a tertiary paediatric ICU based on the available literature as part of our hospital's transformation project into reducing health-care-associated infection. A nurse-led VAP surveillance programme is in place, and we used this to compare VAP incidence before and after commencing a series of care measures aimed at reducing VAP as part of an overall drive for patient safety. The diagnostic criteria, surveillance methods and rates of VAP (5.6 per 1,000 ventilator days) have been previously reported. Nurse educators were added to the original core group, as a key feature is buy in from nursing staff. All nursing staff had multiple training opportunities, and VAP project education became a routine part of staff induction. The major features of the bundle of care were (1) elevation of bed to maximum (target, 45°; however, no beds currently permit this so achieved 20-30°), (2) mouth care using chlorhexidine or tooth brushing, (3) clean suctioning practice, (4) all patients not on full feeds commenced on ranitidine and (5) 4-hourly documentation. Compliance with these aspects was monitored. After the institution of the bundle, no paediatric case of VAP was recorded over a 12-month period, according to a priori definitions. One adult patient had a confirmed VAP over the same time interval. A paediatric VAP bundle was associated with reduced VAP on a UK PICU.

Investigation into the effect of closed-system suctioning on the frequency of pediatric ventilator-associated pneumonia in a developing country

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of closed-system vs. open endotracheal suctioning on the frequency of ventilator-associated pneumonia and outcome in a pediatric intensive care unit in a developing country.

DESIGN

Prospective observational and nonrandomized controlled clinical study.

SETTING

A 20-bed pediatric intensive care unit in a tertiary pediatric hospital.

PATIENTS

Infants and children mechanically ventilated for >24 hrs.

INTERVENTION

: Pediatric intensive care unit suctioning systems were alternated monthly. An 8-month interim analysis was planned with a priori efficacy and futility study termination boundaries set at p < .006 and p > .52, respectively.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were prospectively recorded. Ventilator-associated pneumonia was diagnosed using the Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score, and the results were confirmed retrospectively using Centers for Disease Control criteria. A total of 250 patients (median [interquartile range] age of 3.8 [1.2-15.0] months) in 263 pediatric intensive care unit admissions were included. Fifty-nine admissions developed ventilator-associated pneumonia, with a calculated rate of 45.1 infections per 1000 ventilated days. There was no difference in characteristics or outcome between patients on closed-system suctioning (n = 83) and those on open endotracheal suctioning (n = 180). The frequencies of ventilator-associated pneumonia for patients on closed-system suctioning and open endotracheal suctioning were 20.5% and 23.3%, respectively (p = .6), reaching the a priori set limit of futility. Patients who developed ventilator-associated pneumonia spent a median (interquartile range) of 22 (13-37) and 11 (8-16) days in the hospital and pediatric intensive care unit, respectively, compared to 14.5 (10-24) and 6 (4-8) days for those without ventilator-associated pneumonia (p < .001). A 22% proportion of patients who developed ventilator-associated pneumonia died compared to 11.3% of those without ventilator-associated pneumonia (p = .03). Risk factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia identified on multiple logistic regression were duration of mechanical ventilation, transport out of the pediatric intensive care unit, and blood transfusion.

CONCLUSION

Closed-system suctioning did not affect the frequency of ventilator-associated pneumonia or patient outcome in this setting.

Incidence and risk factors for health care-associated pneumonia in a pediatric intensive care unit

OBJECTIVES

To determine the incidence and risk factors for health care-associated pneumonia in a pediatric intensive care unit.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Pediatric intensive care unit with 16 medical and surgical beds in a tertiary teaching hospital in Recife, northeast Brazil.

PATIENTS

Patients aged <18 yrs were consecutively enrolled between January 2005 and June 2006 into a cohort set to investigate health care-associated infections. Newborns and patients admitted for surveillance and those staying for <24 hrs were excluded. Patients were followed up daily throughout the stay and until 48 hrs after discharge from the unit.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

This report focuses on health care-associated pneumonia, defined as pneumonia that occurs >48 hrs after admission but that was not incubating at the time of admission, as the primary outcome. Intrinsic and extrinsic variables were prospectively recorded into a standardized form. Statistical analyses, including multivariable logistic regression, were performed in Stata version 9.1. There were 765 eligible admissions. Health care-associated pneumonia occurred in 51 (6.7%) patients with an incidence density of 13.1 episodes/1,000 patient-days. There were 366 (47.8%) patients on mechanical ventilation, of whom 39 (10.7%) presented with ventilator-associated pneumonia with an incidence density of 27.1/1,000 days on ventilation. Longer stay on ventilation (odds ratio [OR], 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.08), use of gastric tube (OR, 2.88; 95% CI, 1.41-5.87), and of sedatives/analgesics (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.27-4.72) were identified as independent risk factors for healthcare-associated pneumonia.

CONCLUSION

Identification of independent predictors of health care-associated pneumonia may inform preventive measures. Strategies to optimize use of sedatives/analgesics, reduce the use of gastric tubes, and reduce the time on ventilation should be considered for inclusion in future intervention studies.

Mortality and morbidity among infants at high risk for severe respiratory syncytial virus infection receiving prophylaxis with palivizumab: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

A systematic literature review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of prophylaxis with palivizumab on mortality and morbidity associated with respiratory syncytial virus infection in infants at high risk (≤ 35 wks of gestational age, chronic lung disease, or congenital heart disease).

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Current Contents were used. MEDLINE was searched from January 1, 1990 to May 16, 2007. The bibliographies of accepted studies and recent reviews and proceedings from the past 2 yrs were searched to identify additional relevant studies.

STUDY SELECTION

Randomized controlled trials and prospective or retrospective cohort studies evaluating all-cause and respiratory syncytial virus-specific mortality, respiratory syncytial virus hospitalizations, and health care use in infants at high risk for respiratory syncytial virus infection receiving prophylaxis with palivizumab.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data elements from each accepted study were extracted by one researcher and confirmed by a second researcher. Differences were resolved before data entry and analysis.

DATA SYNTHESIS

A total of 2473 citations were screened and ten comparative studies of palivizumab prophylaxis evaluating >15,000 infants were included. Comparisons of mortality and hospitalization outcomes between infant groups using prophylaxis and not using prophylaxis were made using meta-analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Prophylaxis and nonprophylaxis infant groups appeared to be comparable at baseline. All-cause mortality during the respiratory syncytial virus season was 12 of 6380 (0.19%) for infants with prophylaxis vs. 33 of 8182 (0.53%) for infants without prophylaxis (Peto odds ratio, 0.30; 95% confidence interval, 0.17-0.55). Only five respiratory syncytial virus-specific deaths were reported, and the majority of the studies did not report respiratory syncytial virus-related deaths. The rate of respiratory syncytial virus hospitalization was significantly lower among preterm infants with prophylaxis compared with those without prophylaxis (4.1% vs. 10.4%; odds ratio, 0.35; 95% confidence interval, 0.25-0.47). Prophylaxis with palivizumab was associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality and respiratory syncytial virus hospitalization among preterm infants at high risk. Additional research on cause of death among infants at high risk is needed.

Effect of enhanced ultraviolet germicidal irradiation in the heating ventilation and air conditioning system on ventilator-associated pneumonia in a neonatal intensive care unit

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that enhanced ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (eUVGI) installed in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) heating ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC) would decrease HVAC and NICU environment microbes, tracheal colonization and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

STUDY DESIGN

The study was designed as a prospective interventional pre- and post-single-center study. University-affiliated Regional Perinatal Center NICU. Intubated patients in the NICU were evaluated for colonization, and a high-risk sub-population of infants <30 weeks gestation ventilated for ≥ 14 days was studied for VAP. eUVGI was installed in the NICU's remote HVACs. The HVACs, NICU environment and intubated patients' tracheas were cultured pre- and post-eUVGI for 12 months. The high-risk patients were studied for VAP (positive bacterial tracheal culture, increased ventilator support, worsening chest radiograph and ≥ 7 days of antibiotics).

RESULT

Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Serratia, Acinetobacter, Staphylococcus aureus and Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species were cultured from all sites. eUVGI significantly decreased HVAC organisms (baseline 500,000 CFU cm(-2); P=0.015) and NICU environmental microbes (P<0.0001). Tracheal microbial loads decreased 45% (P=0.004), and fewer patients became colonized. VAP in the high-risk cohort fell from 74% (n=31) to 39% (n=18), P=0.04. VAP episodes per patient decreased (Control: 1.2 to eUVGI: 0.4; P=0.004), and antibiotic usage was 62% less (P=0.013).

CONCLUSION

eUVGI decreased HVAC microbial colonization and was associated with reduced NICU environment and tracheal microbial colonization. Significant reductions in VAP and antibiotic use were also associated with eUVGI in this single-center study. Large randomized multicenter trials are needed.

U.S. attitudes and perceived practice for noninvasive ventilation in pediatric acute respiratory failure

OBJECTIVE

Few pediatric studies exist regarding the use of noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation for acute respiratory failure; however, those that do suggest a role. This study seeks to describe attitudes and perceived practices of pediatric intensivists regarding the use of noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation in children with acute respiratory failure.

DESIGN

Electronic survey.

SETTING

Medical institutions.

PARTICIPANTS

Of the 932 physicians approached, 353 (38%) responded to the survey. Respondents included U.S. physicians practicing pediatric critical care (90%), pediatric anesthesia critical care (4%), pediatric pulmonary critical care (4%), and other disciplines (2%).

INTERVENTIONS

Survey.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The survey contained questions regarding 1) practitioner demographics, 2) patient characteristics, and 3) clinical cases designed to assess noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation use in certain patient scenarios. Noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation was used by 99% of the respondents, with 60% using noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation as initial support >10% of the time. Respondents reported use of noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation for acute respiratory failure in lower airway disease (70%), asthma (51%), acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (43%), and upper airway obstruction (31%). In clinical scenarios, respondents reported that the factors associated with nonuse of noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation as initial support were disease process (31%), oxygenation (19%), ventilation severity (15%), expectation that the patient was likely to worsen (12%), and age or inability to cooperate (11%).

CONCLUSIONS

Noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation is widely used and most frequently utilized in patients with acute lower airway disease. Factors such as severe defects in oxygenation and ventilation, disease progression, and patient tolerability decreased the likelihood of use. These findings may help direct further studies of noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation in children with acute respiratory failure.

Transfusion of leukocyte-depleted red blood cells is not a risk factor for nosocomial infections in critically ill children

OBJECTIVES

Transfusion of red blood cells is increasingly linked with adverse outcomes in critically ill children. We tested the hypothesis that leukocyte-depleted red blood cell transfusions were independently associated with increased development of bloodstream infections, ventilator-associated pneumonias, or urinary tract infections.

DESIGN

Historical, descriptive cohort study.

SETTING

Single-center, mixed medical-surgical, closed nine-bed pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary university hospital.

PATIENTS

All children <18 yrs of age consecutively admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit during a 3-yr period (January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2007).

INTERVENTIONS

None.

RESULTS

One thousand one hundred twenty-three patients were admitted, of whom 503 (44.8%) were admitted for >48 hrs. Sixty-five (12.9%) had a nosocomial infection (incidence 19.3 per 1,000 pediatric intensive care unit admissions per year). Patients with a nosocomial infection were significantly more often male (72.3% vs. 27.7%, p = .033), had a higher Pediatric Risk of Mortality II score (median 19.1 [range, 6-44] vs. 18.0 [range, 2-39], p = .023), were more often ventilated (95.4% vs. 80.1%, p = .003), and received more often red blood cell transfusions (55.4% vs. 40.2%, p = .021). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that male gender (odds ratio, 2.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-3.76), presence of an indwelling central venous catheter (odds ratio, 2.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.29-4.48), and simultaneous use of more than one type of antimicrobial drug were independently associated with the development of nosocomial infections. Red blood cell transfusion was discarded as a predictor.

CONCLUSIONS

Transfusion of leukocyte-depleted red blood cells was not independently associated with the development of nosocomial infections in a heterogeneous group of critically ill children.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia in children after cardiac surgery in The Netherlands

PURPOSE

We conducted a retrospective cohort study in an academic tertiary care center to characterize ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in pediatric patients after cardiac surgery in The Netherlands.

METHODS

All patients following cardiac surgery and mechanically ventilated for ≥24 h were included. The primary outcome was development of VAP. Secondary outcomes were duration of mechanical ventilation and length of ICU stay.

RESULTS

A total of 125 patients were enrolled. Their mean age was 16.5 months. The rate of VAP was 17.1/1,000 mechanical ventilation days. Frequently found organisms were Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Patients with VAP had longer duration of ventilation and longer ICU stay. Risk factors associated with the development of VAP were a PRISM III score of ≥10 and transfusion of fresh frozen plasma.

CONCLUSION

The mean VAP rate in this population is higher than that reported in general pediatric ICU populations. Children with VAP had a prolonged need for mechanical ventilation and a longer ICU stay.

Risk factors and pathogen profile of ventilator-associated pneumonia in a neonatal intensive care unit in China

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to explore the incidence and risk factors of, and summarize the involved pathogens in, neonates with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in the authors' neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to determine the effective strategies for prevention.

METHODS

A retrospective case-control study including 117 VAP patients and 232 controls was conducted from January 2002 to July 2008. The antibiotics sensitivity spectrum was determined on quantitative microbiological evaluation. Multiple logistic regression and Cox model analysis were performed to determine independent and accumulative risk factors for VAP.

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis showed that birthweight, mechanical ventilation (MV), parenteral alimentation, dexamethasone and other respiratory disease were associated with the development of VAP. The cumulative risk for developing VAP increased over the duration of stay in the NICU. The most common isolated bacteria of the pathogen spectrum in VAP were Klebsiella spp. (33/146), Acinetobacter baumannii (26/146), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (18/146) and Staphylococcus aureus(13/146). Meanwhile, we found that previous use of antibiotics before VAP diagnosis was not associated with the onset of VAP.

CONCLUSIONS

The daily risk for VAP increases with duration of stay in the NICU after ventilation. Drug-resistant bacteria are common pathogens for neonatal VAP in the authors' NICU.

[Prolonged stay in pediatric intensive care units: mortality and healthcare resource consumption]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze mortality and resource consumption in patients with long stays in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs).

DESIGN

A retrospective, descriptive case series study.

SCOPE

Medical-surgical PICU in a third level hospital.

PATIENTS

Data were collected from patients with a stay of 28 days or more in PICU between 2006 and 2010. Of the 2118 patients assisted in this period, 83 (3.9%) required prolonged stay.

STUDY VARIABLES

Morbidity-mortality and resource consumption among patients with prolonged stay in the PICU.

RESULTS

Mortality was higher in patients with a long stay (22.9%) than in the rest of patients (2%) (p<0.001). In 52.6% of these patients, death occurred after withdrawal of treatment or after not starting resuscitation measures. Patients with prolonged stay showed a high incidence of nosocomial infection (96.3%) and an important consumption of healthcare resources (97.6% required conventional mechanical ventilation, 90.2% required transfusion of blood products, 86.7% required intravenous vasoactive drugs and 22.9% required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation [ECMO]).

CONCLUSIONS

Critical children with prolonged stay in the PICU show important morbidity and mortality, and an important consumption of healthcare resources. The adoption of specific measures permitting early identification of patients at risk of prolonged stay is needed in order to adapt therapeutic measures and available resources, and to improve treatment efficiency.

Preliminary evidence for leukocyte transcriptional signatures for pediatric ventilator-associated pneumonia

OBJECTIVE

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a significant contributor to intensive care unit (ICU) morbidity and mortality and presents a significant diagnostic challenge. Our hypothesis was that blood RNA expression profiles can be used to track the response to VAP in children, using the same methods that proved informational in adults.

DESIGN

A pilot, nonrandomized, repeated measures case-control study of changes in the abundance of total RNA in buffy coat and clinical scores for VAP.

SETTING

A large, multispecialty university-based pediatric ICU and cardiac ICU.

PATIENTS

Seven children requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation.

INTERVENTIONS

Blood samples were drawn at time of enrollment and every 48 hours for a maximum of 11 samples (21 days). Patients ranged in age from 1 to 18 months (mean 8 months). All patients survived to the end of the study. Of the 7 patients studied, 4 developed VAP.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Statistical analysis of the Affymetrix Human Genome Focus GeneChip signal was conducted on normalized expression values of 8793 probe sets using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with a false discovery rate of 0.10. The expression patterns of 48 genes appeared to discriminate between the 2 classes of ventilated children: those with and those without pneumonia. Gene expression network analysis revealed several gene ontologies of interest, including cell proliferation, differentiation, growth, and apoptosis, as well as genes not previously implicated in sepsis.

CONCLUSIONS

These preliminary data are the first in critically ill children supporting the hypothesis that there is a detectable VAP signal in gene expression profiles. Larger studies are needed to validate these preliminary findings and test the diagnostic value of longitudinal changes in leukocyte RNA signatures.

Complications of mechanical ventilation in the pediatric population

BACKGROUND

Mechanical ventilation (MV) strategies are continuously evolving in an effort to minimize adverse events. The objective of this study was to determine the complications associated with MV in children.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective observational study. Over a period of 10 consecutive months, 150 patients (median age 0.8 years, IQR 4.4, 59% male) were enrolled in this study.

RESULTS

The median duration of MV was 3.1 days (IQR 3.9). A total of 85 complications were observed in 60 (40%) patients (114 complications per 1,000 ventilation days). 16.7% of patients developed atelectasis, 13.3% post-extubation stridor, 9.3% failed extubation, 2.0% pneumothorax, 3.3% accidental extubation, 2.7% nasal or perioral tissue damage and 1.9% ventilator associated pneumonia. Atelectasis occurred most often in the left lower lobe (36%) or in the right upper lobe (26%). The incidence of atelectasis in children <1 year of age was 12% (31 episodes per 1,000 days of ventilation) compared to 18% (57 episodes per 1,000 days of ventilation) in children ≥ 1 year of age (P < 0.05). Patients that failed extubation were ventilated for a median of 8.5 (IQR 8.8) days compared to 2.9 days (IQR, 3.8) in patients that were successfully extubated (P < 0.01). The absence of an air leak prior to extubation did not correlate with failed extubation. Accidental extubation was limited to orally intubated patients.

CONCLUSION

MV complications occurred in 40% of patients and most often consisted of atelectasis and post-extubation stridor. Further studies are needed to examine associated risk factors and strategies to reduce their occurrence.

The diagnostic dilemma of ventilator-associated pneumonia in critically ill children

OBJECTIVE

A review of the existing literature on ventilator-associated pneumonia in children with emphasis on problems in diagnosis.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic literature review from 1947 to 2010 using Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ISI Web of Science using key words "ventilator associated pneumonia" and "children." Where pediatric data were lacking, appropriate adult studies were reviewed and similarly referenced.

STUDY SELECTION

Two hundred sixty-two pediatric articles were reviewed and data from 48 studies selected. Data from 61 adult articles were also included in this review.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Ventilator-associated pneumonia is the second most common nosocomial infection and the most common reason for antibiotic use in the pediatric intensive care unit. Attributable mortality is uncertain but ventilator-associated pneumonia is associated with significant morbidity and cost. Diagnosis is problematic in that clinical, radiologic, and microbiologic criteria lack sensitivity and specificity relative to autopsy histopathology and culture. Qualitative tracheal aspirate cultures are commonly used in diagnosis but lack specificity. Quantitative tracheal aspirate cultures have sensitivity (31-69%) and specificity (55-100%) comparable to bronchoalveolar lavage (11-90% and 43-100%, respectively) but concordance for the same bacterial species when compared with autopsy lung culture was better for bronchoalveolar lavage (52-90% vs. 50-76% for quantitative tracheal aspirate). Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas species are the most common organisms, but microbiologic flora change over time and with antibiotic use. Initial antibiotics should offer broad-spectrum coverage but should be narrowed as clinical response and cultures dictate.

CONCLUSIONS

Ventilator-associated pneumonia is an important nosocomial infection in the pediatric intensive care unit. Conclusions regarding epidemiology, treatment, and outcomes are greatly hampered by the inadequacies of current diagnostic methods. We recommend a more rigorous approach to diagnosis by using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention algorithm. Given that ventilator-associated pneumonia is the most common reason for antibiotic use in the pediatric intensive care unit, more systematic studies are sorely needed.

Nosocomial infections and multidrug-resistant bacterial organisms in the pediatric intensive care unit

Nosocomial infections in Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) caused by multidrug-resistant bacterial organisms are increasing. This review attempts to report on significant findings in the current literature related to nosocomial infections in PICU settings with an international perspective. The types of nosocomial infections are addressed, including catheter-related bloodstream infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal infections and post-surgical wound infections. A review of emerging resistant bacterial pathogens includes methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus sp., Clostridium difficile, extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Gram-negative organisms, Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing strains and multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Basic and enhanced infection control methods for the management and control of multidrug-resistant organisms are also summarized with an emphasis on prevention.

[A national multicentre study on nosocomial infections in PICU]

INTRODUCTION

Nosocomial infection (NI) is a common complication in paediatric critical care units (PICU), with an associated mortality up to 11%.

OBJECTIVE

To describe NI epidemiology in the national PICU. To initiate an standard NI control measures to obtain paediatric incidence rates.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

Multicentre prospective study from 1 to 31 march 2007. Centre Disease Control diagnosis and methodological criteria were used. It was specially analyzed NI related to invasive devices: central venous catheter (CVC), mechanical ventilation (MV), urinary catheter (UC).

RESULTS

There were recruited 300 patients from 6 PICU, with 17 NI episodes in 16 patients (5,3% from admitted). NI rates resulted in 13,8 infections/1000 patients-day. Middle age from infected patients was 2,31 years (± 3,43), 9 males. Risk factors were found in 7 cases. NI location was: catheter-related bloodstream infection in 7 patients (6,7/1000 days CVC), ventilator associated pneumonia in 4 (9,4/1000 MV days), urinary-tract infection associated with UC in 4 (5,5/1000 UC days), one case of primary bloodstream infection and one surgical site infection. Isolated microorganisms were: 9 gram negatives bacillus, 4 Candida, 2 plasmocoagulase negative staphylococcus, 1 Haemophilus and 1 Staphylococcus aureus. Seven isolations were resistant microorganisms. There weren't any died related to NI.

CONCLUSIONS

NI epidemiology was similar to published data in our near countries. NI surveillance, with a standardized method of analysis is essential to the NI correct manage.

Health Care–Associated Infection in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

•Handwashing is the most important means of preventing nosocomial infection. Each pediatric intensive care unit should develop programs to increase compliance with hand hygiene. •Nonessential invasive devices should be removed. Establish routines that require individual patient evaluation of device use daily. •Antimicrobial stewardship aims to minimize overexposure and unnecessary use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are an increasing concern as a cause of hospital-acquired infection, requiring a multipronged approach to control that includes adherence to isolation procedures, appropriate use of antibiotics, educational interventions, prescribing guidelines, and restriction of the use of some antibiotics. •A comprehensive infection prevention and control program allied with organizational quality and patient safety programs is an essential strategy for minimizing hospital-acquired infections. Critical care teams should establish strong collaborative partnerships with the infection prevention and control service. •Parents and visitors should be made partners of the infection control team to help prevent infection in their children.

Plasminogen activation inhibitor concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid distinguishes ventilator-associated pneumonia from colonization in mechanically ventilated pediatric patients

OBJECTIVE

To compare the ability of four biomarkers to distinguish between those with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) vs. lower respiratory tract bacterial colonization in mechanically ventilated intensive care unit (ICU) pediatric patients.

DESIGN

Prospective, pilot cohort study.

SETTING

Tertiary care children's hospital, pediatric ICU.

PATIENTS

All pediatric ICU patients mechanically ventilated > 48 hrs were eligible for enrollment between April 2006 to May 2007. Thirty-three patients were consecutively screened and enrolled after institutional consent process.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

VAP was defined by both Centers for Disease and Prevention/National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance criteria and clinician diagnosis; those not meeting the criteria were considered to be colonized. Plasminogen activation inhibitor (PAI-1), soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells, receptor for advanced glycation end-products, and surfactant protein D levels were measured in bronchoalveolar lavage samples on average within 24 hrs of suspicion for VAP, i.e., a positive screening endotracheal Gram stain. Sixteen patients were diagnosed with VAP and 17 met the criteria for colonization. PAI-1 was associated with VAP independent of age, sex, race, acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome, Pediatric Risk of Mortality 3 score, pediatric logistic organ dysfunction score, and duration of intubation. The receiver operating characteristics for PAI-1 showed good discrimination with an area under the curve of 0.82. PAI-1 levels of ≥ 2.8 ng/mL had a sensitivity of 81.3%, specificity of 76.5%, and positive likelihood ratio of 3.5. Levels of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells, receptor for advanced glycation end-products, and surfactant protein D were not significantly associated with VAP.

CONCLUSIONS

In mechanically ventilated pediatric ICU patients, PAI-1 is independently associated with the diagnosis of VAP. Real-time measurement of PAI-1 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid may be of benefit in the early diagnosis and subsequent treatment of VAP in ICU patients.

Risk factors for healthcare-associated infection in pediatric intensive care units: a systematic review

A systematic review of observational studies on risk factors for healthcare-associated infection in pediatric Intensive Care Units (ICU) was carried out. Studies indexed in MEDLINE, LILACS, Cochrane, BDENF, CAPES databases published in English, French, Spanish or Portuguese between 1987 and 2006 were included and cross references added. Key words for search were 'cross infection' and 'Pediatric Intensive Care Units' with others sub-terms included. 11 studies were selected from 419 originally found: four studies had healthcare-associated infection as the main outcome without a specific site; three articles identified factors associated with lower respiratory tract infection (pneumonia or tracheitis); three articles were concerned with laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infection; and a single retrospective study analyzed urinary tract infection. The production of evidence on risk factors Paediatric ICU has not kept up the same pace of that on adult - there are few studies with adequate design and statistical analysis. The methodological diversity of the studies did not allow for a summarized measurement of risk factors.

Prevention of healthcare-associated infections in children: new strategies and success stories

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Attention to patient safety has made hospital infection prevention and control strategies a subject of increasing focus from healthcare personnel, patients and families, accrediting organizations, and government. This review highlights recent literature and new successes in the prevention of healthcare-associated infections in children.

RECENT FINDINGS

Emerging evidence about risk factors for various healthcare-associated infections in children will help target available adjunctive preventive interventions. Multicenter pediatric collaborative efforts to emphasize best practices have resulted in decreases in infection rates, particularly for central line-associated bloodstream infections. A low prevalence of colonization or infection with multidrug-resistant organisms in hospitalized children, combined with a lack of compelling evidence of effectiveness for active surveillance and decolonization, have made decisions about routine screening challenging.

SUMMARY

A renewed interest in infection prevention by multiple stakeholders has energized our field and contributed to impressive successes in reducing rates of healthcare-associated infections. Nevertheless, important knowledge gaps remain and an emphasis on funding of high-quality, rigorous studies to answer unresolved questions will be critical to our efforts to further prevent infections for hospitalized children.

Epidemiologic surveillance of nosocomial infections in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of a developing country

Background

Nosocomial Infections (NI) are a frequent and relevant problem. The purpose of this study was to determine the epidemiology of the three most common NI in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit from a developing country.

Methods

We performed a prospective study in a single Pediatric Intensive Care Unit during 12 months. Children were assessed for 3 NI: bloodstream infections (BSI), ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and urinary tract infections (UTI), according to Center for Disease Control criteria. Use of devices (endotracheal tube [ETT], central venous catheter [CVC] and urinary catheter [UC]) was recorded.

Results

Four hundred fourteen patients were admitted; 81 patients (19.5%) developed 85 NIs. Density of incidence of BSI, VAP and UTI was 18.1, 7.9 and 5.1/1000 days of use of CVC, ETT and UC respectively. BSI was more common in children with CVCs than in those without CVCs (20% vs. 4.7%, p < 0.05). Candida spp. was the commonest microorganism in BSI (41%), followed by Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (17%). Pseudomonas (52%) was the most common germ for VAP and Candida (71%) for UTI. The presence of NI was associated with increased mortality (38.2% vs. 20.4% in children without NI; p < 0.001) and the median length of ICU stay (23 vs. 6 days in children without NI; p < 0.001). Children with NI had longer average hospital stay previous to diagnosis of this condition (12.3 vs. 6 days; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

One of every 5 children acquires an NI in the PICU. Its presence was associated with increased mortality and length of stay. At the same time a longer stay was associated with an increased risk of developing NI.

Colistimethate sodium therapy for multidrug-resistant isolates in pediatric patients

AIM

The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy and safety of colistimethate sodium therapy in multidrug-resistant nosocomial infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Acinetobacter baumannii in neonates and children.

METHODS

Pediatric patients hospitalized at the Uludag University Hospital who had nosocomial infections caused by multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa or A. baumannii, were enrolled in the study. Colistimethate sodium at a dosage of 50-75 x 10(3) U/kg per day was given i.v. divided into three doses.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients received 17 courses of colistimethate sodium for the following infections: ventilator-associated pneumonia (n= 14), catheter-related sepsis (n= 1) and skin and soft-tissue infection (n= 2). The mean age of patients was 53.2 + 74.7 months (range, 8 days-15 years) and 60% were male. Mortality was 26.6%.

CONCLUSION

Colistimethate sodium appears to be safe and effective for the treatment of severe infections caused by multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa or A. baumannii in pediatric patients.

Factors associated with time to acquisition of bloodstream infection in a pediatric intensive care unit

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the risk factors that influence time to acquisition of a laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infection (LCBI).

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study with an 18-month follow-up.

SETTING

A 16-bed medical and/or surgical pediatric intensive care unit that cares for patients of the Brazilian Public Health System exclusively.

PATIENTS

We included children from 0 to 18 years old who were represented by 875 consecutive admissions to the pediatric intensive care unit from January 1, 2005, through June 30, 2006. The children from all but 5 (0.6%) of the admissions were followed up until discharge or death. The majority (506 [58.2%]) were hospitalized for surgical pathology, and 254 (29.2%) underwent heart surgery.

METHODS

We used a standardized questionnaire and data collection from daily charts. Information on risk factors was collected before the onset of first LCBI. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. The effect of the variables on the risk of LCBI each day was estimated through a Cox model fitting.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven children (6.6%) developed an LCBI, 54 (94.7%) of whom made use of a central venous catheter. LCBI incidence was 11.27 episodes/1,000 patient-days and 17.92 episodes/1,000 patient-days when associated with a central venous catheter. Factors associated with time to the first LCBI in the Cox model were age less than 2 years (hazard ratio [HR], 1.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-3.89), malnutrition (HR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.01-3.00), use of a central venous catheter (HR, 4.36; 95% CI, 1.30-14.64), use of antibiotics before admission (HR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.33-0.98), and use of transfused blood products (HR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.22-0.74).

CONCLUSION

Factors associated with time to acquisition of LCBI were age less than 2 years, weight-for-age z score less than -2, and the use of a central venous catheter. Therefore, intensification of LCBI prevention efforts in patients with these characteristics is fundamental.

Diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia in children in resource-limited setting: a comparative study of bronchoscopic and nonbronchoscopic methods

OBJECTIVES

To compare the available methods for the diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia in intubated pediatric patients and to suggest less costly diagnostic method for developing countries.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

Pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary care, multidisciplinary teaching hospital located in northern India.

PATIENTS

All consecutive patients on mechanical ventilation for >48 hrs were evaluated clinically for ventilator-associated pneumonia.

INTERVENTIONS

Four diagnostic procedures (tracheal aspiration, blind bronchial sampling, blind bronchoalveolar lavage, and bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage) were performed in the same sequence within 12 hrs of clinical suspicion of ventilator-associated pneumonia. The bacterial density > or =104 colony-forming units/mL in a bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage sample was taken as reference standard.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Thirty patients with 40 episodes of ventilator-associated pneumonia were included in the study. Tracheal aspirate at the cutoff of > or =105 colony-forming units/mL was found to have sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of 84%, 77%, 87.5%, 73%, and 80%, respectively. For blind bronchial sampling at > or =104 colony-forming units/mL cutoff, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 88%, 82%, 88%, 83%, and 87%, respectively; the most reliable results were obtained with blind bronchoalveolar lavage at the cutoff of > or =103 cfu/mL (sensitivity 96%, specificity 80%, positive predictive value 88%, negative predictive value 92%, and accuracy 90%). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of tracheal aspiration, blind bronchial sampling, and blind bronchoalveolar lavage was 0.87 +/- 0.06, 0.89 +/- 0.06, and 0.89 +/- 0.05, respectively. The cost of balloon-tip pressure catheter used for blind bronchoalveolar lavage was INR 1600.00 (US$40) whereas that for blind bronchial sampling was only INR 35.00 (<1 US$).

CONCLUSIONS

Blind bronchoalveolar lavage was the most reliable method followed closely by blind bronchial sampling for the diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Considering the difference of the cost in the two procedures, blind bronchial sampling may be the preferred method in the pediatric intensive care unit of a developing country.

Risk factors for healthcare-associated infection in a pediatric intensive care unit

OBJECTIVE

Identify risk factors for first-onset healthcare-associated infection (HAI) in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Medical-surgical PICU in a hospital for patients in the public healthcare system.

PATIENTS

From January 2005 to June 2006, daily surveillance was carried out on 870 patients ages 0 to 18 yrs during their stay in the PICU through to 48 hrs after discharge (5773 patient-days).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

In 256 admissions, there were 363 episodes of HAI, with a cumulative incidence of 41.7% and a density of 62.9 of 1000 patient-days. Intrinsic and extrinsic factors were investigated and measured until occurrence of first-onset HAI (diagnosed according to Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System criteria) or until discharge or death. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, risk factors for first-onset HAI in the PICU (controlled for length of stay) were as follows: age under 2 years (odds ratio [OR]), 1.80; 95% confidence interval [CI]), 1.30-2.49); days on ventilator duration (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.08-1.25); transfused blood products (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.08-2.06), glucocorticoids (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.04-2.02) and H2 blockers (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.05-2.06).

CONCLUSIONS

Efforts toward a reduction in the exposure to extrinsic risk factors should be made, as each of these factors separately explains 30% of the risk of HAI. Interventions directed at processes related to the use of a ventilator and limitations on its duration of use should be a priority in HAI control strategies, as each day of ventilator use increases the risk of HAI.

Frequency of ventilator-associated pneumonia with 3-day versus 7-day ventilator circuit changes

BACKGROUND

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common clinical problem. Previous studies involving adult patient cohorts have assessed various risk factors associated with VAP, including ventilator circuit changes. The objective of this study was to examine the incidence of and risk factors associated with VAP, particularly 3-day versus 7-day ventilator circuit changes, in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

METHODS

This was a cohort observational study. Patients hospitalized in the PICU at Chang Gung Children's Hospital between November 2003 and September 2004 were enrolled. Investigators and critical-care specialists evaluated baseline characteristics, incidence of VAP, and related variables from PICU admission until discharge or death.

RESULTS

Of 397 patients initially enrolled, 96 (aged 11-60 months) were available for statistical analysis and were assigned into two groups according to timing of ventilator circuit change: 3-day (n = 46) and 7-day circuit change (n = 50). No statistically significant differences were observed for VAP incidence (13% vs. 16%, p = 0.68) or hospital mortality (22% vs. 36%, p = 0.14) for 3-day versus 7-day circuit change. Incidence of VAP per 1000 ventilation days was 10.75 and 8.41 for 3-day and 7-day circuit change, respectively. Univariate analysis indicated statistical significance for the duration of mechanical ventilation (10.17 +/- 16.63 days vs. 18.20 +/- 14.99 days, p < 0.001), length of stay in PICU (22.30 +/- 20.48 days vs. 37.22 +/- 36.79 days, p = 0.0069) and presence of enteral nutrition [7 (15.22%) vs. 23 (46.0%), p = 0.0012].

CONCLUSION

Weekly circuit change does not contribute to increased rates of VAP in pediatric patients. Long-term studies evaluating risk factors in larger pediatric patient populations are warranted for further conclusive recommendations.

A study of profile of ventilator-associated pneumonia in children in Punjab

OBJECTIVES

To determine incidence, related factors, outcome, bacterial organisms and their sensitivity patterns with regard to ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in children.

SETTING

Level III PICU of a tertiary care center.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

METHODS

Children in the age group of 1 month to 15 years, admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit requiring ventilatory support (V.I.P.BIRD infant-Pediatric ventilator) for at least 48 h. Clinical criteria used to define VAPs were the same as used by and Elward et al. and Salata et al.

RESULTS

Forty patients met the inclusion criteria and 8 (20%) had VAP. The risk factor significantly related with development of VAP was the use of H(2) blockers (Ranitidine) for >2 days. All other related factors were not significantly related to occurrence of VAP.

CONCLUSION

Use of H(2) blockers (Ranitidne) is associated with higher incidence of VAP in children.

Lung contusion in children--early computed tomography versus radiography

OBJECTIVE

To investigate, in children, the correlation between the extent of lung contusion as detected on early radiologic examination (chest radiograph [CXR] and/or thoracic computed tomography [TCT]) and subsequent clinical outcome measures.

DESIGN

Retrospective chart review study with blinded assessment of thoracic imaging.

SETTING

A university-affiliated, level 1 designated pediatric trauma center.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

PATIENTS

Patients (1-18 yrs) who, between April 2000 and October 2005, were diagnosed with lung contusion were eligible for study entry. The medical records of those patients who underwent early (within the first 24 hrs of admission) thoracic imaging (CXR and/or TCT) were reviewed. A pulmonary contusion score (PCS) was assigned to each thoracic image according to the extent of contusion injury by two investigators blinded to each others score and the clinical details of the patient.

RESULTS

Seventy-four patients were included in the study. Twenty patients had undergone CXR only, whereas 54 had undergone both CXR and TCT. The mean PCS on CXR was 3.9 +/- 3.6 compared with 6.5 +/- 3.49 on TCT (p < .001). In eight patients (15%) who underwent TCT and CXR, the CXR failed to demonstrate a lung contusion. The PCS derived from CXR examination correlated positively with lower Pao2/Fio2 (r = -.36, p = .019), higher ventilation index (r = .35, p = .014), and longer length of ventilation (r = .28, p = .019). No such correlation was seen with TCT-derived PCS.

CONCLUSIONS

The severity of lung contusion determined by CXR, but not TCT, correlates with impairment of oxygenation, CO2 exchange, and duration of ventilatory support.

ICU nurses' oral-care practices and the current best evidence

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to describe the oral-care practices of ICU nurses, to compare those practices with current evidence-based practice, and to determine if the use of evidence-based practice was associated with personal demographic or professional characteristics.

DESIGN

A national survey of oral-care practices of ICU nurses was conducted using a convenience sample of 218 practicing ICU nurses in 2004-05. The survey instrument included questions about demographic and professional characteristics and a checklist of oral-care practices. Nurses rated their perceived level of priority concerning oral care on a scale from 0 to 100. A score was computed representing the sum of 14 items related to equipment, solutions, assessments, and techniques associated with the current best evidence. This score was then statistically analyzed using ANOVA to determine differences of EBP based on demographic and professional characteristics.

FINDINGS

The most commonly used equipment was gauze pads (84%), followed by tongue depressors (55%), and toothbrushes (34%). Chlorhexidine was the most common solution used (75%). Less than half (44%) reported brushing their patients' teeth. The majority performed an oral assessment before beginning oral care (71%); however, none could describe what assessment tool was used. Only 57% of nurses reported documenting their oral care. Nurses rated oral care of intubated patients with a priority of 67+/-27.1. Wide variations were noted within and between units in terms of which techniques, equipment, and solutions were used. No significant relationships were found between the use of an evidence-based protocol and demographic and professional characteristics or with the priority given to oral care.

CONCLUSIONS

While nurses ranked oral care a high priority, many did not implement the latest evidence into their current practice. The level of research utilization was not related to personal or professional characteristics. Therefore attempts should be made to encourage all ICU nurses to introduce and use evidence-based, oral-care protocols.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Practicing ICU nurses in this survey were often not adhering to the latest evidence-based practice and therefore need to be educated and encouraged to do so in order to improve patient care.

Effect of frequency of ventilator circuit changes (3 vs 7 days) on the rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia in PICU

PURPOSE

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Our purpose was to evaluate the effects of ventilator circuit change on the rate of VAP in the PICU.

METHODS

A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted at a university hospital PICU. Children (younger than 18 years) who received mechanical ventilation from December 2006 to November 2007 were randomly assigned to receive ventilator circuit changes every 3 or 7 days.

RESULTS

Of 176 patients, 88 were assigned to receive ventilator circuit every 3 days and 88 patients had a change weekly. The rate of VAP was 13.9/1000 ventilator days for the 3-day circuit change (n = 12) vs 11.5/1000 ventilator days (n = 10) for the 7-day circuit change (odds ratio, 0.8; confidence interval, 0.3-1.9; P = .6). There was a trend toward decreased PICU stay and mortality rate in 7-day change group compared to 3-day change group but did not reach statistical significance. Furthermore, switching from a 3-day to a 7-day change policy could save costs up to US $22,000/y.

CONCLUSIONS

The 7-day ventilator circuit change did not contribute to increased rates of VAP in our PICU. Thus, it may be used as a guide to save workload and supply costs.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia in pediatric trauma patients

BACKGROUND

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a significant cause of secondary morbidity and mortality in adult trauma patients. No study has characterized VAP in pediatric trauma patients. We determined the rates of and potential risk factors for VAP in pediatric trauma patients.

METHODS

A countywide trauma registry identified all pediatric trauma patients with potential VAP treated at a Regional Trauma Center. After a structured chart review, descriptive statistics were used to characterize the population.

RESULTS

One hundred fifty-eight trauma patients younger than 16 years requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation were identified in 3388 pediatric trauma admissions from the period 1995-2006. Drownings and poisonings were excluded. The registry identified 14 potential VAPs, of which, on detailed review, 7 were true cases. The VAP rate for pediatric trauma patients was 0.2% overall or 4.4% of those mechanically ventilated. In addition, ventilator days were available in the registry from 2003 forward and the rate in ventilator days was found to be 13.83/1000. Although higher than the overall pediatric intensive care unit VAP rate (5.93/1000 ventilator days), the pediatric trauma VAP rate was substantially lower than the VAP rate in adult trauma patients (58.25/1000 ventilator days). On chart review, six of the seven patients were male and older than 10 years (mean age, 11.9 years). All seven patients with VAP were blunt trauma victims with head injury (mean initial Glasgow Coma Score, 5.6) with Injury Severity Scores over 25 (mean, 32.1). Pulmonary contusion was present in four of the seven. Although the in-hospital mortality rate of ventilated pediatric trauma patients was 17.1%, there was no mortality in those with VAP.

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of VAP in pediatric trauma patients is substantially lower than in similar adults. Age older than 10 years, blunt trauma, head injury, and Injury Severity Score >25 may be risk factors. VAP is not associated with increased mortality in pediatric trauma patients.

When ventilator-associated pneumonias haunt your NICU--one unit's story

IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM, LEVEL III NICUs are increasingly caring for low birth weight (LBW) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. This subpopulation represents a most fragile and vulnerable group that is subject to numerous complications. An ever-important concern is the development of health care– associated infections. This article focuses on the occurrence and prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia, better known as VAP, which is an infection of the lung occurring in patients who are being mechanically ventilated at the onset of the infection or have been mechanically ventilated within 48 hours of its onset.1

A prospective study of ventilator-associated pneumonia in children

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a prospective, observational study in a tertiary care pediatric center to determine risk factors for the development of and outcomes from ventilator-associated pneumonia.

METHODS

From November 2004 to June 2005, all NICU and PICU patients mechanically ventilated for >24 hours were eligible for enrollment after parental consent. The primary outcome measure was the development of ventilator-associated pneumonia, which was defined by both Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance criteria and clinician diagnosis. Secondary outcome measures were length of mechanical ventilation, hospital and ICU length of stay, hospital cost, and death.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight patients were enrolled. The median age was 6 months, and 57% were boys. The most common ventilator-associated pneumonia organisms identified were Gram-negative bacteria (42%), Staphylococcus aureus (22%), and Haemophilus influenzae (11%). On multivariate analysis, female gender, postsurgical admission diagnosis, presence of enteral feeds, and use of narcotic medications were associated with ventilator-associated pneumonia. Patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia had greater need for mechanical ventilation (12 vs 22 median ventilator-free days), longer ICU length of stay (6 vs 13 median ICU-free days), higher total median hospital costs ($308,534 vs $252,652), and increased absolute hospital mortality (10.5% vs 2.4%) than those without ventilator-associated pneumonia.

CONCLUSIONS

In mechanically ventilated, critically ill children, those with ventilator-associated pneumonia had a prolonged need for mechanical ventilation, a longer ICU stay, and a higher mortality rate. Female gender, postsurgical diagnosis, the use of narcotics, and the use of enteral feeds were associated with an increased risk of developing ventilator-associated pneumonia in these patients.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia in the pediatric intensive care unit: characterizing the problem and implementing a sustainable solution

OBJECTIVES

To characterize ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in our pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), implement an evidence-based pediatric VAP prevention bundle, and reduce VAP rates.

STUDY DESIGN

The setting is a 25-bed PICU in a 475-bed free-standing pediatric academic medical center. VAP was diagnosed according to Centers for Disease Control and National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System definitions. A pediatric VAP prevention bundle was established and implemented. Baseline VAP rates were compared with implementation and post-bundle-implementation periods.

RESULTS

VAP is significantly associated with increased PICU length of stay, mechanical ventilator days, and mortality rates (length of stay VAP 19.5+/-15.0 vs non-VAP 7.5+/-9.2, P< .001; ventilator days VAP 16.3+/-14.7 vs non-VAP 5.3+/-8.4, P< .001; mortality VAP 19.1% vs non-VAP 7.2%, P= .01). The VAP rate was reduced from 5.6 (baseline) to 0.3 infections per 1000 ventilator days after bundle implementation; P< .0001. Subglottic/tracheal stenosis, trauma, and tracheostomy are significantly associated with VAP.

CONCLUSIONS

PICU VAP is associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates. A multidisciplinary improvement team can implement a sustainable pediatric-specific VAP prevention bundle, resulting in VAP rate reduction.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia in a paediatric intensive care unit in a developing country with high HIV prevalence

AIM

To obtain preliminary prevalence, aetiological and outcome data on South African paediatric patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

METHODS

Non-bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens taken between January 2004 and September 2005 were prospectively recorded and related clinical data were retrospectively reviewed. VAP was defined as a new isolate on BAL and a modified Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score > or =5.

RESULTS

A total of 230 patients aged 3.9 (2.2-9.1) months (median interquartile range (IQR) ) underwent 309 BALs during 244 paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions. Most patients (84%) were admitted with acute infectious diseases, with a 70% incidence of comorbidity. Thirty-three patients (14.3%) were HIV-exposed but uninfected and 58 (25.2%) were HIV-infected. Of 172 BALs taken > or =48 h after intubation, 63 specimens from 55 patients fulfilled VAP criteria. Acinetobacter baumannii was the most common VAP pathogen, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae, viruses, yeasts and Staphylococcus aureus. Patients who developed VAP had a higher proportion of comorbid conditions (76% vs. 55%, P= 0.01) and reintubations (39% vs. 12%, P < 0.0001) when compared with non-VAP patients. Median (IQR) length of PICU stay was 12.5 (5-21) days versus 8 (5-14) days (P= 0.03); and the risk adjusted PICU mortality was 1.38 versus 0.79 (P= 0.002) in VAP versus non-VAP patients, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

VAP is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and may relate to the high incidence of comorbid conditions in this population. Primary VAP pathogens differ from developed countries.

Strategies to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia in acute care hospitals

Previously published guidelines are available that provide comprehensive recommendations for detecting and preventing healthcare-associated infections. The intent of this document is to highlight practical recommendations in a concise format designed to assist acute care hospitals in implementing and prioritizing their ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) prevention efforts. Refer to the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America/Infectious Diseases Society of America “Compendium of Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections” Executive Summary and Introduction and accompanying editorial for additional discussion.

1. Occurrence of VAP in acute care facilities.

a. VAP is one of the most common infections acquired by adults and children in intensive care units (ICUs).

i. In early studies, it was reported that 10%-20% of patients undergoing ventilation developed VAP. More-recent publications report rates of VAP that range from 1 to 4 cases per 1,000 ventilator-days, but rates may exceed 10 cases per 1,000 ventilator-days in some neonatal and surgical patient populations. The results of recent quality improvement initiatives, however, suggest that many cases of VAP might be prevented by careful attention to the process of care.

2. Outcomes associated with VAP

a. VAP is a cause of significant patient morbidity and mortality, increased utilization of healthcare resources, and excess cost.

i. The mortality attributable to VAP may exceed 10%.

ii. Patients with VAP require prolonged periods of mechanical ventilation, extended hospitalizations, excess use of antimicrobial medications, and increased direct medical costs.

Evidence-based algorithms for diagnosing and treating ventilator-associated pneumonia

BACKGROUND

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is widely recognized as a serious and common complication associated with high morbidity and high costs. Given the complexity of caring for heterogeneous populations in the intensive care unit (ICU), however, there is still uncertainty regarding how to diagnose and manage VAP.

OBJECTIVE

We recently conducted a national collaborative aimed at reducing health care-associated infections in ICUs of hospitals operated by the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA). As part of this collaborative, we developed algorithms for diagnosing and treating VAP in mechanically ventilated patients. In the current article, we (1) review the current evidence for diagnosing VAP, (2) describe our approach for developing these algorithms, and (3) illustrate the utility of the diagnostic algorithms using clinical teaching cases.

DESIGN

This was a descriptive study, using data from a national collaborative focused on reducing VAP and catheter-related bloodstream infections.

SETTING

The setting of the study was 110 ICUs at 61 HCA hospitals.

INTERVENTION

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

We assembled an interdisciplinary team that included infectious disease specialists, intensivists, hospitalists, statisticians, critical care nurses, and pharmacists. After reviewing published studies and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention VAP guidelines, the team iteratively discussed the evidence, achieved consensus, and ultimately developed these practical algorithms. The diagnostic algorithms address infant, pediatric, immunocompromised, and adult ICU patients.

CONCLUSIONS

We present practical algorithms for diagnosing and managing VAP in mechanically ventilated patients. These algorithms may provide evidence-based real-time guidance to clinicians seeking a standardized approach to diagnosing and managing this challenging problem.

Medical errors affecting the pediatric intensive care patient: incidence, identification, and practical solutions

The complexity of patient care and the potential for medical error make the pediatric ICU environment a key target for improvement of outcomes in hospitalized children. This article describes several event-specific errors as well as proven and potential solutions. Analysis of pediatric intensive care staffing, education, and administration systems, although a less "traditional" manner of thinking about medical error, may reveal further opportunities for improved pediatric ICU outcome.

Nosocomial Gram-positive bacterial infections in children: results of a 7 year study

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present paper was to determine the rate of culture-proven nosocomial infections and evaluate the episodes of nosocomial Gram-positive (GP) bacterial infections in pediatric patients.

METHODS

The data of children with positive culture, who were diagnosed as having nosocomial infection on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria, were examined and only the patients with nosocomial GP bacterial infections were included in the study.

RESULTS

Between January 1997 and January 2004 a total of 836 episodes of nosocomial GP bacterial infections were observed. The most frequently seen nosocomial GP bacterial infections were primary bloodstream infections (BSI; 43%), ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections (18%), and nosocomial pneumonias (11%). Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CONS; 46%) were the most common nosocomial GP bacteria isolated, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (33%). Methicillin resistance rates for CONS and S. aureus were 85% and 25.2%; respectively. The mortality rate was 4% of all children with nosocomial GP bacterial infections in the present study.

CONCLUSION

In the present patients primary BSI were the most common nosocomial GP bacterial infections and CONS were the most frequent GP pathogen isolated. Antimicrobial resistance in GP isolates is an increasing problem.