Cost-effectiveness of ethanol lock prophylaxis to prevent central line-associated bloodstream infections in children with intestinal failure in the United States

Prevention of complications for hospitalized patients receiving parenteral nutrition: A narrative review

Hospitalized patients may benefit from parenteral nutrition to address their compromised nutrition status attributed to limited oral/enteral intake and increased nutrient/energy requirement during acute illness. Parenteral nutrition, however, can be associated with many complications that can negatively impact patient outcomes. In this review, we focus on potential metabolic and catheter-related complications associated with parenteral nutrition use. We report on potential risk factors for such complications and highlight strategies for prevention and early recognition. To optimize outcomes, key findings include the creation and implementation of evidence-based protocols with proven efficacy. For each hospital unit delivering parenteral nutrition to patients, tracking compliance with established protocols and patient outcomes is crucial for ongoing improvement through identification of gaps, proper reeducation and training, and ongoing refinement of care protocols. Establishment of specialized inpatient nutrition support teams should be considered.

Association between 4%-tetrasodium EDTA and sepsis in neonatal piglets: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Central line-associated bloodstream infections are a major concern for children with intestinal failure and in animal research using parenteral nutrition (PN). In neonatal piglets receiving PN, we compared sepsis, line occlusions, line replacements, mortality, and costs with and without the use of a 4%-tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (T-EDTA) locking solution.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of piglets with a central venous jugular catheter enrolled in 14-day exclusive PN (TPN) trials or in 7-day short bowel syndrome (SBS) trials, before and after initiation of T-EDTA. Lines were locked with a 1-ml solution for 2 h daily (T-EDTATPN, n = 17; T-EDTASBS, n = 48) and compared with our prior standard of care using 1.5-ml heparin flushes twice daily (CONTPN, n = 34; CONSBS, n = 48). Line patency and signs of sepsis were checked twice daily. Jugular catheters were replaced for occlusions whenever possible. Humane end points were used for sepsis not responding to antibiotic treatment or unresolved catheter occlusions.

RESULTS

Compared with CON, sepsis was reduced using T-EDTA, significantly for TPN (P = 0.006) and with a trend for SBS piglets (P = 0.059). Line occlusions necessitating line changes were reduced 15% in TPN studies (P = 0.16), and no line occlusions occurred for T-EDTA SBS piglets.

CONCLUSION

In our neonatal piglet research, use of T-EDTA locking solution decreased sepsis and, although not statistically significant, reduced occlusions requiring line replacements. Given the expense of animal research, adding a locking solution must be cost-effective, and we were able to show that T-EDTA significantly reduced total research costs and improved animal welfare.

Neighborhood Income Is Associated with Health Care Use in Pediatric Short Bowel Syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate associations between neighborhood income and burden of hospitalizations for children with short bowel syndrome (SBS).

STUDY DESIGN

We used the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database to evaluate associations between neighborhood income and hospital readmissions, readmissions for central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), and hospital length of stay (LOS) for patients <18 years with SBS hospitalized between January 1, 2006, and October 1, 2015. We analyzed readmissions with recurrent event analysis and analyzed LOS with linear mixed effects modeling. We used a conceptual model to guide our multivariable analyses, adjusting for race, ethnicity, and insurance status.

RESULTS

We included 4289 children with 16 347 hospitalizations from 43 institutions. Fifty-seven percent of the children were male, 21% were Black, 19% were Hispanic, and 67% had public insurance. In univariable analysis, children from low-income neighborhoods had a 38% increased risk for all-cause hospitalizations (rate ratio [RR] 1.38, 95% CI 1.10-1.72, P = .01), an 83% increased risk for CLABSI hospitalizations (RR 1.83, 95% CI 1.37-2.44, P < .001), and increased hospital LOS (β 0.15, 95% CI 0.01-0.29, P = .04). In multivariable analysis, the association between low-income neighborhoods and elevated risk for CLABSI hospitalizations persisted (RR 1.70, 95% CI 1.23-2.35, P < .01, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Children with SBS from low-income neighborhoods are at increased risk for hospitalizations due to CLABSI. Examination of specific household- and neighborhood-level factors contributing to this disparity may inform equity-based interventions.

Cost-utility analysis of 4% tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, taurolidine, and heparin lock to prevent central line-associated bloodstream infections in children with intestinal failure

BACKGROUND

Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) are a serious complication in children with intestinal failure. This study assessed the incremental costs of 4% tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) compared with taurolidine lock and heparin lock per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained in children with intestinal failure from the healthcare payer and societal perspective.

METHODS

A Markov cohort model of a 1-year-old child with intestinal failure was simulated until the age of 17 years (time horizon), with a cycle length of 1 month. The health outcome measure was QALYs, with results expressed in terms of incremental costs and QALYs. Model parameters were obtained from published literature and institutional data. Deterministic, probabilistic, and scenario sensitivity analyses were performed.

RESULTS

4% Tetrasodium EDTA was dominant (more effective and less expensive) compared with taurolidine and heparin, yielding an additional 0.17 QALYs with savings of CAD$88,277 compared with heparin, and an additional 0.06 QALYs with savings of CAD$52,120 compared with taurolidine lock from the healthcare payer perspective. From the societal perspective, 4% tetrasodium EDTA resulted in savings of CAD$90,696 compared with heparin and savings of CAD$36,973 compared with taurolidine lock.

CONCLUSIONS

This model-based analysis indicates that 4% tetrasodium EDTA can be considered the optimal strategy compared with taurolidine and heparin in terms of cost-effectiveness. The decision uncertainty can be reduced by conducting further research on the model input parameters. An expected value of perfect information analysis can identify what model input parameters would be most valuable to focus on.

Central venous catheter safety in pediatric patients with intestinal failure

Children with intestinal failure (IF) require long-term central venous access to provide life-sustaining parenteral nutrition. Mechanical, thrombotic, and infectious complications are potentially life-threatening and may necessitate central venous catheter (CVC) replacement. Repeated central line replacements may lead to a loss of vascular access sites and increases risk for intestinal transplantation. Children with IF face unique challenges for CVC safety given their young age, altered anatomy, and increased risk of thrombosis and infection. The following review addresses preventative, diagnostic, and treatment strategies for central line safety concerns specific to children with IF as well as recommendations for promoting catheter safety during activities, travel, and emergencies.