Central line-associated bloodstream infections in pediatric patients: Results from a national nosocomial infections surveillance program

ΟBJECTIVE To provide updated data on the rates of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in Greek neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) and pediatric oncology units (PONCs), and to describe pathogen distribution and antimicrobial resistance patterns for CLABSIs. METHOD Active surveillance for CLABSI was conducted from June 2016 to December 2019 (43 months). A consortium of 14 NICUs, 3 PICUs, and 6 PONCs participated in the program. Surveillance definitions of central line (CL), central line utilization (CLU) ratio, CLABSI event, and CLABSI rate were based on the 2014 National Healthcare Safety Network criteria of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Medical records were assessed daily for calculation of CL-days, pa-tient-days, and susceptibility to isolated organisms. RESULTS A total of 519 CLABSI episodes were recorded in the 43 months. Mean CLABSI rates were 7.15 in NICUs, 5.19 in PICUs, and 2.20, per 1,000 CL-days in PONCs. A higher mean CLU ratio was reported in PONCs (0.83) and a lower mean ratio was found in NICUs (0.15). A total of 567 pathogens were isolated, the most common of which were Enterobacterales (42.1%), followed by Gram-positive cocci (29%), non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria (14.6%), and fungi (11.5%). Among 239 (63.1%) Enterobacterales isolated, 151 were multidrug resistant. Overall, 14.8% of Gram-negative pathogens were resistant to third generation ceph-alosporins and 23.7% to carbapenems. CONCLUSIONS The rates of CLABSI and antibiotic resistance among organ-isms causing CLABSI are high in high-risk hospitalized children. These data highlight the significance of this problem and emphasize the need for implementation of infection prevention interventions. The methodology used for this surveillance program could be applied in other pediatric or adult units across Greece. © Athens Medical Society

Establishing nationally representative central line-associated bloodstream infection surveillance data for paediatric patients in Greece

Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality and with excess costs. Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are the most common HCAIs in neonates and children. Aim: To establish national benchmark data for rates of CLABSI in neonatal and paediatric intensive care units (NICUs and PICUs) and paediatric oncology units (ONCs). Methods: Active surveillance for CLABSI was conducted from June 2016 to February 2017. A collaborative of 14 NICUs, four PICUs, and six ONCs participated in the programme. Surveillance definitions of central line (CL), central line utilization (CLU) ratio, CLABSI event, and CLABSI rate were based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2014 National Healthcare Safety Network criteria. Medical records were assessed daily for calculating CL-days, patient-days, and susceptibility of isolated organisms. Findings: A total of 111 CLABSI episodes were recorded. The overall mean CLABSI rate was 4.41 infections per 1000 CL-days, and the CLU ratio was 0.31. CLABSI rates were 6.02 in NICUs, 6.09 in PICUs, and 2.78 per 1000 CL-days in ONCs. A total of 123 pathogens were isolated. The most common pathogens were Enterobacteriaceae (36%), followed by Gram-positive cocci (29%), non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria (16%), and fungi (16%). Overall, 37% of Gram-negative pathogens were resistant to third-generation cephalosporins and 37% to carbapenems. Conclusion: Nationally representative CLABSI rates were determined for paediatric patients. These data could be used to benchmark and serve as baseline data for the design and evaluation of infection control and antimicrobial stewardship interventions. © 2018 The Healthcare Infection Societ