Variations in central venous catheter-related infection risks among Canadian neonatal intensive care units

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to examine central venous catheter (CVC)-related nosocomial blood stream infection risks of umbilical venous, percutaneous and Broviac catheters, as well as variations in CVC use and CVC-related risk for nosocomial blood stream infection in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). METHODS: A cohort study was performed based on 19,507 infants admitted to 17 NICUs in the Canadian Neonatal Network from January, 1996, through October, 1997. Information on these subjects was prospectively collected by trained abstractors. Incidence of infection was measured as infection episodes per 1000 patient days. The risk ratio (RR) of CVC use for nosocomial blood stream infection was calculated as the infection rate during catheter days divided by the infection rate during noncatheter days. Using a Poisson regression model we examined the adjusted RR of CVC use for nosocomial blood stream infection, controlling for patient characteristics and illness severity at admission. Interinstitutional variations in CVC-related infection risks were examined by stratified analyses. RESULTS: CVC were used in 22.5% of patients. The incidence of nosocomial blood stream infection was 2.9 per 1000 noncatheter days, 7.2 per 1000 umbilical venous catheter days, 13.1 per 1000 percutaneous catheter days and 12.1 per 1000 Broviac catheter days. The RR for nosocomial blood stream infection, adjusted for differences in patient characteristics and admission illness severity, was 2.5 for umbilical venous catheter, 4.6 for percutaneous catheter and 4.3 for Broviac catheter (P < 0.05). There were significant (P < 0.05) risk-adjusted variations in CVC-related infection risks among NICUs. CONCLUSIONS: CVC use increased the risk of nosocomial blood stream infection. The risk of nosocomial blood stream infection in percutaneous and Broviac catheters was 70 to 80% higher than in umbilical venous catheters. There was significant variation in CVC-related infection risks among Canadian NICUs.     

Risk indicators for hearing loss in infants treated in different Neonatal Intensive Care Units

Aim: To assess which infants’ characteristics and specialized procedures are risk indicators for unilateral or bilateral hearing loss (HL) and to evaluate whether these risk indicators are associated with variation in prevalence of HL between Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). Methods: For 2002–2005, data from the NICU hearing screening database in the Netherlands were matched with the national neonatology database in which all NICU infants with their patient characteristics and specialized procedures are registered. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess risk indicators for HL and to explain differences in prevalence rates between NICUs. Results: A total of 10 830 infants were available for analyses. The prevalence of HL was 1.8% and ranged from 0.7 to 3.7% between NICUs. Infants’ characteristics that significantly increased the risk of HL were the presence of craniofacial anomalies, chomosomal/syndromal anomalies, central nervous system conditions, circulatory system conditions and intra‐uterine infections. The specialized procedures involving ≥12 days of intensive care and high frequency oxygenation ventilation were independent risk indicators for HL. Approximately 20% of the variance can be explained by the studied risk indicators. Differences in prevalence rates between NICUs were slightly reduced after adjustment for these risk indicators. NICUs with the highest prevalence rates of HL were situated in the largest cities in the Netherlands with a mixed population because of immigration. Therefore, ethnicity may be a risk indicator. Conclusions: Several independent risk indicators for HL were found, but they could not explain all differences in prevalence rates of HL between NICUs.     

Risk factors for candidemia in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit patients. The National Epidemiology of Mycosis Survey study group

BACKGROUND: Candida species are important nosocomial pathogens in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was performed in six geographically diverse NICUs from 1993 to 1995 to determine the incidence of and risk factors for candidemia, including the role of gastrointestinal (GI) tract colonization. Study procedures included rectal swabs to detect fungal colonization and active surveillance to identify risk factors for candidemia. Candida strains obtained from the GI tract and blood were analyzed by pulsed field gel electrophoresis to determine whether colonizing strains caused candidemia. RESULTS: In all, 2,847 infants were enrolled and 35 (1.2%) developed candidemia (12.3 cases per 1,000 patient discharges or 0.63 case per 1,000 catheter days) including 23 of 421 (5.5%) babies < or =1,000 g. After adjusting for birth weight and abdominal surgery, forward multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated significant risk factors, including gestational age <32 weeks, 5-min Apgar <5; shock, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, prior use of intralipid, parenteral nutrition, central venous catheters, H2 blockers, intubation or length of stay > 7 days before candidemia (P < 0.05). Catheters, steroids and GI tract colonization were not independent risk factors, but GI tract colonization preceded candidemia in 15 of 35 (43%) case patients. CONCLUSIONS: Candida spp. are an important cause of late onset sepsis in NICU patients. The incidence of candidemia might be decreased by the judicious use of treatments identified as risk factors and avoiding H2 blockers.     

Does variation in interpretation of ultrasonograms account for the variation in incidence of germinal matrix/intraventricular haemorrhage between newborn intensive care units in New Zealand?

BACKGROUND: The incidence of germinal matrix/intraventricular haemorrhage (GM/IVH) reported to the Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network (ANZNN) varies between neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).Hypothesis: Differences in the capture, storage, and interpretation of the cerebral ultrasound scans may account for some of this variation. METHODS: A total of 255 infants with birth weight <1500 g and gestation <32 weeks born between 1997 and 2002 were randomly selected from the ANZNN database, 44 from each of the six NICUs in New Zealand. Twenty two infants from each NICU had cerebral ultrasound scans previously reported to ANZNN as normal; another 22 had scans reported as abnormal. The original scans were copied using digital photography and anonymised and independently read by a panel of three experts using a standardised method of reviewing and reporting. RESULTS: There was considerable variation between NICUs in methods of image capture and quality and completeness of the scans. However, there was little variation in the reporting of scans between the reviewers and the reports to ANZNN (weighted kappa 0.75-0.91). Grade 1 GM/IVH was generally over-reported and grade 4 under-reported to the ANZNN. CONCLUSION: For all NICUs, a high level of agreement was found between the reviewers' reports and the reports to the ANZNN. Thus the variation between NICUs in the incidence of GM/IVH reported to the ANZNN is unlikely to be due to differences in capture, storage, and interpretation of the cerebral ultrasound scans. Further investigation is warranted into the reasons for the variation in incidence of GM/IVH between NICUs.     

Risk factors associated with pneumothorax in Malaysian neonatal intensive care units

Aims: This study aimed to determine the risk factors associated with the development of pneumothorax among infants admitted to the Malaysian neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Methods: Twenty‐nine of forty NICUs in Malaysian public hospitals participated in the 2006 Malaysian National Neonatal Registry (MNNR). Data of infants from this registry with and without pneumothorax were analysed. A diagnosis of pneumothorax was made in the presence of extra‐pleural air detected by chest radiograph or needle aspiration. Results: There were 10 387 infants admitted to these NICUs who met the MNNR inclusion criteria and were included in this study. Pneumothorax developed in 505 (4.9%) of them. Pneumothorax was most common (7.3%) among the extremely low birthweight infants (birthweight equal or less than 1000 g) and the extremely preterm infants of gestation equal or less than 26 weeks (6.8%). Logistic regression analysis showed that the significant risk factors associated with increased risk of development of pneumothorax were: meconium aspiration syndrome (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 2.1, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.7, 2.7), intermittent mandatory ventilation (adjusted OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.2, 2.0), high‐frequency oscillatory ventilation (adjusted OR = 3.9, 95% CI: 3.0, 5.2) and confirmed sepsis (adjusted OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.3, 2.1). Infants on nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) therapy were associated with significantly lower risk of pneumothorax (adjusted OR = 0.5, 95% CI: 0.4, 0.6). Conclusion: Meconium aspiration syndrome, mechanical ventilation and sepsis were associated with increased risk and the use of nCPAP with decreased risk of pneumothorax in Malaysian NICUs.     

Variable interpretation of ultrasonograms may contribute to variation in the reported incidence of white matter damage between newborn intensive care units in New Zealand

BACKGROUND: The incidence of cerebral white matter damage reported to the Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network (ANZNN) varies between neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). HYPOTHESIS: Differences in the capture, storage, and interpretation of the cerebral ultrasound scans could account for some of this variation. METHODS: A total of 255 infants of birth weight <1500 g and gestation <32 weeks born between 1997 and 2002 and drawn equally from each of the six NICUs in New Zealand were randomly selected from the ANZNN database. Half had early cerebral ultrasound scans previously reported to ANZNN as normal, and half had scans reported as abnormal. The original scans were copied, anonymised, and independently read by a panel of three experts using a standardised method of reviewing and reporting. RESULTS: There was considerable variation between NICUs in methods of image capture, quality, and completeness of the scans. There was only moderate agreement between the reviewers' reports and the original reports to the ANZNN (kappa 0.45-0.51) and between the reviewers (kappa 0.54-0.64). The reviewers reported three to six times more white matter damage than had been reported to the ANZNN. CONCLUSION: Some of the reported variation in white matter damage between NICUs may be due to differences in capture and interpretation of cerebral ultrasound scans.     

Rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia as a function of neonatal intensive care practices.

Some differences among neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia may reflect variations in medical care practices. After adjusting for differences in the inherent risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia among 223 infants of less than 1751 gm birth weight who were admitted to three Harvard-affiliated NICUs, we used multivariate analysis to explore the extent to which medical care practices during the first days of life varied with the rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. In our analyses, variables were grouped by three major hypotheses: oxygen toxicity, barotrauma, and fluid overload. The NICU designated 1 (the one with the highest rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia) used much higher than expected colloidal volumes during the first 4 days of life; in contrast, in the NICU designated 3 (the one with the lowest rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia), infants consistently received lower than expected amounts of colloidal solution. Signs of patent ductus arteriosus were also much more frequent than expected during this time at NICU 1; rates were much lower than predicted at NICU 2 and were near predicted values at NICU 3. Maximum inspired oxygen fraction during the first 4 days varied significantly in a direction inconsistent with the oxygen toxicity hypothesis. Maximum arterial oxygen tension was significantly less than expected at the hospital with the lowest rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (NICU 3). None of six medical care practices indicating potential for barotrauma varied with NICU expect for positive end-expiratory pressure, which varied in a direction suggesting a protective effect against bronchopulmonary dysplasia. These findings agree best with the hypothesis that differences in hydration during the first days of life account for some of the difference among NICUs in bronchopulmonary dysplasia occurrence.     

Intercenter variability and time of onset: two crucial issues in the analysis of risk factors for nosocomial sepsis

BACKGROUND: Nosocomial sepsis is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of clinical conditions, exposure to invasive procedures and NICU characteristics on late (3 to 10 days) nosocomial sepsis (LNS) and very late (>10 days) nosocomial sepsis (VLNS) and to describe the variability among NICUs. METHODS: Multicenter prospective study in 21 NICUs including all newborns admitted in a 18-month period, weighing 相似文献   

2015至2018年中国25家医院新生儿重症监护室早产儿中心导管相关性血流感染发生率的横断面调查

目的 调查中国25家NICU中早产儿中心导管(CLs)置管率、CLs相关血流感染(CLABSI)的发生率及病原菌分布,为临床防治CLABSI提供基线数据。方法 本研究数据来源于整群随机对照研究“应用以循证为基础的质量改进方法降低新生儿重症监护病房感染发生率(REIN-EPIQ)”建立的早产儿临床数据库。研究人群为2015年5月至2018年4月中国25家医院NICU收治的出生胎龄<34周的所有早产儿(排除自动出院)。结果 共纳入24 884例早产儿,其中9 537例(38.3%)至少留置一根置管,经外周静脉穿刺中心静脉置管(PICC)7 532例(79.0%)。CLABSI总发生率为2.4/1 000(0.0~9.8/1 000)导管日,CLABSI相关病死率为6.7%(35/526)。CLABSI的发生率随着胎龄和出生体重的上升呈下降趋势。CLABSI的主要病原菌为革兰阴性菌(46.2%),其中肺炎克雷伯菌占49.8%,其次为革兰阳性菌(33.9%),真菌占19.9%。结论 我国NICU早产儿中心静脉导管置管率高,CLABSI发生率存在显著单位间差异,CLABSI病原菌以革兰阴性菌为主,真菌占比高。需要采取针对性质量改进措施以缩小单位间差异、降低真菌CLABSI发生率。     

2015至2018年中国25家医院新生儿重症监护室早产儿中心导管相关性血流感染发生率的横断面调查

目的 调查中国25家NICU中早产儿中心导管(CLs)置管率、CLs相关血流感染(CLABSI)的发生率及病原菌分布,为临床防治CLABSI提供基线数据。方法 本研究数据来源于整群随机对照研究“应用以循证为基础的质量改进方法降低新生儿重症监护病房感染发生率(REIN-EPIQ)”建立的早产儿临床数据库。研究人群为2015年5月至2018年4月中国25家医院NICU收治的出生胎龄<34周的所有早产儿(排除自动出院)。结果 共纳入24 884例早产儿,其中9 537例(38.3%)至少留置一根置管,经外周静脉穿刺中心静脉置管(PICC)7 532例(79.0%)。CLABSI总发生率为2.4/1 000(0.0~9.8/1 000)导管日,CLABSI相关病死率为6.7%(35/526)。CLABSI的发生率随着胎龄和出生体重的上升呈下降趋势。CLABSI的主要病原菌为革兰阴性菌(46.2%),其中肺炎克雷伯菌占49.8%,其次为革兰阳性菌(33.9%),真菌占19.9%。结论 我国NICU早产儿中心静脉导管置管率高,CLABSI发生率存在显著单位间差异,CLABSI病原菌以革兰阴性菌为主,真菌占比高。需要采取针对性质量改进措施以缩小单位间差异、降低真菌CLABSI发生率。     

Prevalence of nosocomial infections in neonatal intensive care unit patients: Results from the first national point-prevalence survey.

OBJECTIVES: Patients admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are at high risk of nosocomial infection. We conducted a national multicenter assessment of nosocomial infections in NICUs to determine the prevalence of infections, describe associated risk factors, and help focus prevention efforts. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a point prevalence survey of nosocomial infections in 29 Pediatric Prevention Network NICUs. Patients present on the survey date were included. Data were collected on underlying diagnoses, therapeutic interventions/treatments, infections, and outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 827 patients surveyed, 94 (11.4%) had 116 NICU-acquired infections: bloodstream (52.6%), lower respiratory tract (12.9%), ear-nose-throat (8.6%), or urinary tract infections (8.6%). Infants with infections were of significantly lower birth weight (median 1006 g [range 441 to 4460 g] vs 1589 g [range 326 to 5480 g]; P <.001) and had longer median durations of stay than those without infections (88 days [range 8 to 279 days] vs 32 days [range 1 to 483 days]; P <.001). Most common pathogens were coagulase-negative staphylococci and enterococci. Patients with central intravascular catheters (relative risk = 3.81, CI 2.32-6.25; P <.001) or receiving total parenteral nutrition (relative risk = 5.72, CI 3.45-9.49; P <.001) were at greater risk of bloodstream infection. CONCLUSIONS: This study documents the high prevalence of nosocomial infections in patients in NICUs and the urgent need for more effective prevention interventions.     

Perinatal risk factors for major intraventricular haemorrhage in the Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network, 1995-97

BACKGROUND: In 1995, large differences were identified in rates of grade 3-4 intraventricular/periventricular haemorrhage (major IVH) among neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in the Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network. Aims: To develop a predictive model for major IVH in order to allow risk adjustment for the variation in rates of major IVH among NICUs. METHODS: Rates of IVH were determined in 5712 infants of 24-30 weeks gestation born from 1995 to 1997. Significant antenatal and perinatal variables for major IVH in 1995 and 1996 were identified by univariate and multivariate analysis. A predictive model was developed and then validated on 1997 data. RESULTS: Rates of all grades of IVH fell from 1995 to 1997 (30.4 to 24.3%) but wide interunit variation remained. Seven antenatal and perinatal characteristics had significant association with major IVH: fetal distress, intrauterine growth restriction (protective), antenatal corticosteroids (protective), gestational age, 1 minute Apgar <4, male gender, and transfer after birth. A predictive model based on the last five of these variables was developed using data from 1995 and 1996 which gave an area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.76. This model was then validated on the 1997 dataset where an identical ROC curve resulted. CONCLUSIONS: Antenatal and perinatal factors are important in the pathogenesis of major IVH. The predictive model developed from these factors can be used to adjust for confounders in interunit outcome comparison.     

中国多中心新生儿重症监护室胎龄小于34周早产儿出院前视网膜病变发生率的横断面调查

目的调查中国NICU胎龄34周早产儿视网膜病变(ROP)发生率。方法数据来源于"基于证据的质量改进方法降低我国新生儿重症监护室院内感染发生率的整群随机对照试验"所建立的早产儿临床数据库,收集25家三级NICU 2015年5月1日至2018年4月30日住院期间接受积极治疗、转出NICU或死亡前至少完成1次ROP筛查的胎龄34周早产儿的临床资料,分析不同胎龄及出生体重早产儿的ROP发生率、分期及治疗方式,并比较各单位间的差异。结果14 015例34周的早产儿在出院前或死亡前至少进行了1次ROP筛查,筛查阳性2 304例(16.4%),其中ROP1期1 092例(7.8%),ROP2期1 004例(7.2%),ROP 3～5期208例(1.5%)。胎龄28周早产儿ROP发生率为56.5%(578/1 023),3～5期ROP发生率为9.6%(98/1 023)。出生体重1 000 g和1 000～1 499 g早产儿ROP发生率分别为54.2%(465/858)和22.1%(1 411/6 381),3～5期ROP发生率分别为9.6%(82/858)和1.5%(95/6 381)。2 304例ROP早产儿在出院前188例(8.2%)接受治疗,其中眼内药物注射117例。各单位间ROP发生率存在显著差异。结论胎龄34周的早产儿的ROP发生率为16.4%,8.2%的ROP患儿接受治疗,其中62%采用玻璃体内注药,不同单位间ROP发生率差异显著。     

Decreasing incidence of neonatal nosocomial bloodstream infections in a neonatal intensive care unit: antenatal corticosteroid treatment an innocent bystander?

We studied the effect of the use of antenatal steroid treatment on the incidence of nosocomial bloodstream infections (NBSI). All episodes of culture proven NBSI occurring after 96 h of hospitalisation were identified retrospectively during a 10-year period (1991–2001). Throughout the study period, the use of antenatal steroids, demographic characteristics and morbidity of the patients were recorded prospectively. Since 1996 more efforts were made to use antenatal steroids to decrease neonatal morbidity and mortality. The incidence rates of NBSI were compared between period 1 (1991–1995) and period 2 (1996–2001). The overall incidence rate of NBSI dropped significantly from 7.4% (6.1%–8.9%) in period 1 to 5.0% (4.0%–6.2%) in period 2 and was most pronounced in the birth weight category 1000 g–1500 g (11.7%, 7.9%–15.0% to 6.9%, 4.3%–10.5%) and 1500 g–2500 g (3.6%, 2.2%–5.6% to 1.4%, 0.6%–2.8%). Antenatal use of steroids increased overall from 19% in 1991 to 51% in 2001 (P<0.001). Since 1996 there was a decreasing number of ventilation days (P=0.011) and decreasing incidence of patent ductus arteriosus (P=0.001), while the incidence of neonatal surgery, chronic lung disease and duration of hospitalisation remained constant over time. Conclusion: increased use of antenatal steroids is associated with a decreasing incidence rate of nosocomial bloodstream infections in neonates with birth weights between 1000 g and 2500 g, probably by decreasing the incidence of patent ductus arteriosus and/or due to improved respiratory outcome. This finding needs to be confirmed by randomised control trials or by a large prospective cohort study in similar population groups.Abbreviations CS commensal species - K-W Kruskal Wallis - NBSI nosocomial bloodstream infection - NICU neonatal intensive care unit - NOSEP nosocomial sepsis score     

The Evidence-based Practice for Improving Quality method has greater impact on improvement of outcomes than dissemination of practice change guidelines and quality improvement training in neonatal intensive care units

OBJECTIVES:To determine whether outcome improvements achieved by neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in the Evidence-based Practice for Improving Quality (EPIQ) trial could be reproduced in other NICUs by providing quality improvement (QI) training and practice change guidelines developed during the EPIQ trial; and to examine whether the results of the EPIQ trial were sustained.METHODS:The present prospective before-after study included 5812 infants born at ≤32 weeks’ gestation and admitted to 19 level 3 NICUs in the Canadian Neonatal Network between October 1, 2005 and December 31, 2007. During a three-month baseline period, multi-disciplinary teams received general training in QI techniques at a two-day workshop, and practice change guidelines targeting nosocomial infection (NI) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) developed during the EPIQ trial were provided to all participants. Outcome data collected during the intervention period were compared with data from the baseline period and reported quarterly.RESULTS:In NICUs that had not previously participated in the EPIQ trial (non-EPIQ NICUs), there were no significant changes in the incidence trends of NI or BPD. However, within NICUs that had previously participated in the EPIQ trial (EPIQ NICUs) there was a continued reduction in the incidence trend of NI and BPD among EPIQ NICUs randomized during the trial to reduce NI and BPD, respectively.CONCLUSIONS:Providing NICUs with QI training and practice change guidelines developed during a successful QI initiative in other units is not effective. The authors speculate that successful practice change involves organizational culture and behaviour change, and should be driven by context-specific evidence.     

Probiotics feeding in prevention of urinary tract infection,bacterial sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants. A prospective double-blind study

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that probiotics can reduce the overgrowth of pathogens in the bowels of preterm infants and contribute to the reduction of the incidence of nosocomial infections in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Lactobacillus GG supplementation in reducing the incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs), bacterial sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants. METHODS: A double-blind study was conducted in 12 Italian NICUs. Newborn infants with a gestational age <33 weeks or birthweight <1,500 g were randomized to receive standard milk feed supplemented with Lactobacillus GG (Dicoflor), Dicofarm, Rome, Italy) in a dose of 6 x 10(9) colony-forming units (cfu) once a day until discharge, starting with the first feed or placebo. RESULTS: Five hundred eighty-five patients were studied. The probiotics group (n = 295) and the placebo group (n = 290) exhibited similar clinical characteristics. The duration of Lactobacillus GG and placebo supplementation was 47.3 +/- 26.0 and 48.2 +/- 24.3 days, respectively. Although UTIs (3.4 vs. 5.8%) and NEC (1.4 vs. 2.7%) were found less frequently in the probiotic group compared to the control group, these differences were not significant. Bacterial sepsis was more frequent in the probiotics group (4.4%, n = 11) than in the placebo group (3.8%, n = 9), but the difference was not significant. CONCLUSION: Seven days of Lactobacillus GG supplementation starting with the first feed is not effective in reducing the incidence of UTIs, NEC and sepsis in preterm infants. Further studies are required to confirm our results in lower birthweight populations.     

Risk adjusted and population based studies of the outcome for high risk infants in Scotland and Australia. International Neonatal Network, Scottish Neonatal Consultants, Nurses Collaborative Study Group

OBJECTIVES—To compare outcomes of care in selected neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) for very low birthweight (VLBW) or preterm infants in Scotland and Australia (study 1) and perinatal care for all VLBW infants in both countries (study 2).
DESIGN—Study 1: risk adjusted cohort study; study 2: population based cohort study.
SUBJECTS—Study 1: all 2621 infants of < 1500 g birth weight or < 31 weeks'' gestation admitted to a volunteer sample of hospitals comprising eight of all 17 Scottish NICUs and six of all 12 tertiary NICUs in New South Wales and Queensland in 1993-1994; study 2: all 5986infants of 500-1499 g birth weight registered as live born in Scotland and Australia in 1993-1994.
MAIN OUTCOMES—Study 1: (a) hospital death; (b) death or cerebral damage, each adjusted for gestation and CRIB (clinical risk index for babies); study 2: neonatal (28 day) mortality.
RESULTS—Study 1. Data were obtained for 1628 admissions in six Australian NICUs, 775 in five Scottish tertiary NICUs, and 148 in three Scottish non-tertiary NICUs. Crude hospital death rates were 13%, 22%, and 22% respectively. Risk adjusted hospital mortality was about 50% higher in Scottish than in Australian NICUs (adjusted mortality ratio 1.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29 to 1.63,p < 0.001). There was no difference in risk adjusted outcomes between Scottish tertiary and non-tertiary NICUs. After risk adjustment, death or cerebral damage was more common in Scottish than Australian NICUs (odds ratio 1.9, 95% CI 1.5 to 2.5). Both these risk adjusted adverse outcomes remained more common in Scottish than Australian NICUs after excluding all infants < 28 weeks'' gestation from the comparison. Study 2. Population based neonatal mortality in infants of 500-1499 g was higher in Scotland (20.3%) than Australia (16.6%) (relative risk 1.22, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.39, p = 0.002). In a post hoc analysis, neonatal mortality was also higher in England and Wales than in Australia.
CONCLUSIONS—Study 1: outcome was better in the Australian NICUs. Study 2: perinatal outcome was better in Australia. Both results may be consistent, at least in part, with differences in the organisation and implementation of neonatal care.

     

Impact of staffing on bloodstream infections in the neonatal intensive care unit

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between registered nurse staffing and healthcare-associated bloodstream infections in infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Two level III-IV NICUs in New York, NY, from March 1, 2001, through January 31, 2003. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2675 infants admitted to the NICUs for more than 48 hours and all registered nurses who worked in the same NICUs during the study period.Intervention Hours of care provided by registered nurses.Main Outcome Measure Time to first episode of healthcare-associated bloodstream infection. RESULTS: A total of 224 infants had an infection that met the study definition of healthcare-associated bloodstream infection. In a multivariate analysis, after controlling for infants' intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors, a greater number of hours of care provided by registered nurses in NICU 2 was associated with a decreased risk of bloodstream infection in these infants (hazard ratio, 0.21; 95% confidence interval, 0.06-0.79). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that registered nurse staffing is associated with the risk of bloodstream infection in infants in the NICU.     

Transhepatic Broviac catheter placement for long-term central venous access in critically ill children with complex congenital heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: Critically ill children with cardiac disease often require prolonged central venous access. Thrombosis of systemic veins or the need to preserve vessels for future cardiac procedures limits sites for placement of central venous catheters in these patients. This study evaluates the use of Broviac placement via the transhepatic approach for this patient population. DESIGN: A retrospective review. SETTING: A tertiary care center. PATIENTS: All children with complex congenital heart disease who underwent transhepatic Broviac placement between May 2000 and April 2004. INTERVENTIONS: Transhepatic Broviac placement. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Thirty-two children with a median age of 5 months (20 days-5.3 yrs) and a median weight of 4.2 kg (2.2-24.9 kg) underwent 40 transhepatic Broviac placements. There were three (8.8%) procedural-related complications. One patient suffered an intra-abdominal bleed requiring an urgent laparotomy and removal of the Broviac, one patient required transfusion because of a mild self-contained intra-abdominal bleed, and one patient developed temporary complete heart block. There was one catheter infection. Thrombus was noted by echocardiography on the tip of two Broviacs; however, no intracardiac vegetations or embolic events occurred. There was no mortality related to the procedure. Broviacs remained in place for a median of 36 days (1 day-6 months). Five Broviacs were dislodged inadvertently (two during cardiac massage and three resulting from patient manipulation). The remaining Broviacs were electively removed safely without coil embolization. At a median follow-up of 3.5 months (10 days-3 yrs), there have been no long-term complications related to the Broviacs. CONCLUSIONS: Transhepatic Broviac catheters can be used safely in critically ill children with cardiac disease and remain indwelling for adequate periods of time. This modality of prolonged vascular access should be considered for children whose veins are occluded or need to be preserved for future procedures.     

Use of nonsterile instruments for examination for retinopathy of prematurity in the neonatal intensive care unit

OBJECTIVE: Use of nonsterile eyelid speculae and scleral depressors during screening examinations for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) violates existing infection control recommendations. The objective of this study was to characterize current instrument management and to estimate the prevalence of use of nonsterile instruments. STUDY DESIGN: NICU nurse managers were surveyed. Questionnaires were mailed to 735 NICUs from The United States Neonatologists and Perinatologists Directory. RESULTS: Of 300 surveys returned, 290 reported ROP examinations in their NICUs. Two hundred ten (72%) of 290 NICUs reported supplying instruments. Seventy-five (36%) of 210 NICUs supplying instruments reported a best practice on the basis of current guidelines. Twenty-six (9%) of 290 NICUs reported eye infections as a result of ROP examinations. Reported infection was more frequent (19%) among NICUs reporting reuse of instruments ( P =.019) and more frequent (17%) among NICUs in which ophthalmologists brought their own instruments ( P =.021). Only one (2%) NICU reporting best practice also reported eye infections ( P =.004). CONCLUSIONS: ROP instrument management is inconsistent within and between NICUs. Without the exclusive use of sterile instruments, an increased risk of nosocomial infection might exist. Greater attention to sterile instrument management is recommended.