Healthcare-associated infection prevention in pediatric intensive care units: a review

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2012 Oct;31(10):2481-90. doi: 10.1007/s10096-012-1611-0. Epub 2012 Apr 1.

Abstract

The objective of this review was to summarize the current knowledge base on the prevention of nosocomial infections in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a crucial problem in PICUs because of their impact on patient outcome, length of hospital stay, and costs. Studies published between 1998 and 2011 were identified using the MEDLINE and Cochrane databases. Randomized, cohort, case-control studies, and meta-analyses concerning global strategies of prevention, general organization of the wards, general recommendations on antibiotic management, and measures for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), bloodstream infections (BSIs), urinary tract infections (UTIs), and surgical site infections (SSIs) were incorporated. Limits of age from 1 month to 18 years were used. When recommendations could not be supported by the pediatric literature, adult studies were also reviewed. This review excludes the neonate population. Specific pediatric data are often lacking so as to establish specific evidence-based pediatric recommendations. This review underlines the absolute necessity of pediatric studies and to harmonize the definitions of HAIs.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Bacteria / pathogenicity
  • Cross Infection / drug therapy
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology
  • Cross Infection / microbiology
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control*
  • Databases, Factual
  • Evidence-Based Practice / standards
  • Guidelines as Topic
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units, Pediatric / standards*
  • Length of Stay
  • Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated / drug therapy
  • Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated / microbiology
  • Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated / prevention & control*
  • Surgical Wound Infection / drug therapy
  • Surgical Wound Infection / epidemiology
  • Surgical Wound Infection / microbiology
  • Surgical Wound Infection / prevention & control
  • Urinary Tract Infections / drug therapy
  • Urinary Tract Infections / epidemiology
  • Urinary Tract Infections / microbiology
  • Urinary Tract Infections / prevention & control

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents