Toys--friend or foe? A study of infection risk in a paediatric intensive care unit.

Toys are an established part of the hospital experience for the child and family. They are seen as a source of comfort and security and form part of the child-friendly environment. However, they can also act as a source of healthcare associated infection which can be harmful to children, especially those who are in intensive care environments. This small-scale study was conducted in a paediatric intensive care unit at a large teaching hospital and involved swabbing those toys that had been brought in by families and those that were provided by the hospital. Findings show that 85 per cent of the toys harboured viable bacteria, which could be damaging to the child's health. Recommendations for practice are identified to ensure that toys remain a component of the child's hospitalisation yet are safe in relation to the transmission of infections not just in PICU but in all paediatric settings.