Thomas J Sandora1. 1. Division of Infectious Diseases, Departments of Medicine and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. thomas.sandora@childrens.harvard.edu
Abstract
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.
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.
Authors: Fatima Ali; Lilly C Immergluck; Traci Leong; Lance Waller; Khusdeep Malhotra; Robert C Jerris; Mike Edelson; George S Rust Journal: EGEMS (Wash DC) Date: 2019-09-12