Induced mild hypothermia in children

The objective of this study was to measure outcomes and to determine the safety and effectiveness of mild induced hypothermia in children after traumatic and posthypoxic brain injury. Methods. Forty patients, following traumatic or posthypoxic brain injury, were involved in the study. Mean age was 10.7 ± 0.8 years. Median GCS (Glasgow Coma Scale) was 6.0 (4-7) and mean PIM2 (Pediatric Index of Mortality) 14.6 ± 3.8 %. Results. GOS (Glasgow Outcome Scale) of 5 was assigned for 15 (37.5%) patients, GOS 4 for 14 (35.0%), GOS 3 for 7 (17.5%) and GOS 2 for 4 (10%) patients. The average GOS in patients after severe head trauma was 3.6 ± 0.9 points and in patients with posthypoxic brain injury 5 points, (p < 0.05). No life threatening complications occurred. Conclusion. Mild induced hypothermia can be safely used in pediatric patents after severe traumatic or posthypoxic brain injury. This method may be of benefit while improving outcomes in children

Pediatric ischemic stroke – an unlikely diagnosis: a report of three cases

Pediatric ischemic stroke is a rare and devastating disease. A patient presenting with acute neurological deficit should raise suspicion of a possible stroke. However, stroke “mimics” account for a majority of suspected stroke cases in childhood. We present three cases of pediatric acute ischemic stroke, two of which are arterial, and one caused by thrombosis of venous sinuses. In the first case, we present a 16-year old male patient was admitted to our hospital due to a rare Artery of Percheron occlusion. The second case represents a 17-year old female patient with thrombosis of multiple cerebral venous sinuses, venous infarctions and secondary hemorrhages. As the third case, we present 6-year old male patient with a herpes simplex infection and a vertebrobasilar stroke. All three patients had experienced an altered mental status and other nonspecific symptoms. Due to its rarity, diverse clinical presentation, and lack of randomized control trials regarding treatment, ischemic stroke poses a great challenge to pediatricians

International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) report, data summary for 2003-2008, issued June 2009

Q3Artículo original95-106We report the results of the International Infection Control Consortium (INICC) surveillance study from January 2003 throughDecember 2008 in 173 intensive care units (ICUs) in Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. During the 6-year study, using Centersfor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) US National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN; formerly the National Nosocomial Infec-tion Surveillance system [NNIS]) definitions for device-associated health care-associated infection, we collected prospective datafrom 155,358 patients hospitalized in the consortium’s hospital ICUs for an aggregate of 923,624 days. Although device utilizationin the developing countries’ ICUs was remarkably similar to that reported from US ICUs in the CDC’s NHSN, rates of device-asso-ciated nosocomial infection were markedly higher in the ICUs of the INICC hospitals: the pooled rate of central venous catheter(CVC)-associated bloodstream infections (BSI) in the INICC ICUs, 7.6 per 1000 CVC-days, is nearly 3-fold higher than the 2.0 per1000 CVC-days reported from comparable US ICUs, and the overall rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) was also farhigher, 13.6 versus 3.3 per 1000 ventilator-days, respectively, as was the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI),6.3 versus 3.3 per 1000 catheter-days, respectively. Most strikingly, the frequencies of resistance ofStaphylococcus aureusisolatesto methicillin (MRSA) (84.1% vs 56.8%, respectively),Klebsiella pneumoniaeto ceftazidime or ceftriaxone (76.1% vs 27.1%, respec-tively),Acinetobacter baumanniito imipenem (46.3% vs 29.2%, respectively), andPseudomonas aeruginosato piperacillin (78.0%vs 20.2%, respectively) were also far higher in the consortium’s ICUs, and the crude unadjusted excess mortalities of device-relatedinfections ranged from 23.6% (CVC-associated bloodstream infections) to 29.3% (VAP)

International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) report, data summary of 36 countries, for 2004-2009

The results of a surveillance study conducted by the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) from January 2004 through December 2009 in 422 intensive care units (ICUs) of 36 countries in Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe are reported. During the 6-year study period, using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN; formerly the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance system [NNIS]) definitions for device-associated health care-associated infections, we gathered prospective data from 313,008 patients hospitalized in the consortium's ICUs for an aggregate of 2,194,897 ICU bed-days. Despite the fact that the use of devices in the developing countries' ICUs was remarkably similar to that reported in US ICUs in the CDC's NHSN, rates of device-associated nosocomial infection were significantly higher in the ICUs of the INICC hospitals; the pooled rate of central line-associated bloodstream infection in the INICC ICUs of 6.8 per 1,000 central line-days was more than 3-fold higher than the 2.0 per 1,000 central line-days reported in comparable US ICUs. The overall rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia also was far higher (15.8 vs 3.3 per 1,000 ventilator-days), as was the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (6.3 vs. 3.3 per 1,000 catheter-days). Notably, the frequencies of resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates to imipenem (47.2% vs 23.0%), Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates to ceftazidime (76.3% vs 27.1%), Escherichia coli isolates to ceftazidime (66.7% vs 8.1%), Staphylococcus aureus isolates to methicillin (84.4% vs 56.8%), were also higher in the consortium's ICUs, and the crude unadjusted excess mortalities of device-related infections ranged from 7.3% (for catheter-associated urinary tract infection) to 15.2% (for ventilator-associated pneumonia). Copyright (C) 2011 by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium report, datasummary of 50 countries for 2010-2015 : Device-associated module

Q3Artículo original1495-1504Background: We report the results of International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) sur-veillance study from January 2010-December 2015 in 703 intensive care units (ICUs) in Latin America,Europe, Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and Western Pacific.Methods:During the 6-year study period, using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Health-care Safety Network (CDC-NHSN) definitions for device-associated health care-associated infection (DA-HAI), we collected prospective data from 861,284 patients hospitalized in INICC hospital ICUs for an aggregateof 3,506,562 days.Results:Although device use in INICC ICUs was similar to that reported from CDC-NHSN ICUs, DA-HAIrates were higher in the INICC ICUs: in the INICC medical-surgical ICUs, the pooled rate of central line-associated bloodstream infection, 4.1 per 1,000 central line-days, was nearly 5-fold higher than the 0.8per 1,000 central line-days reported from comparable US ICUs, the overall rate of ventilator-associatedpneumonia was also higher, 13.1 versus 0.9 per 1,000 ventilator-days, as was the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infection, 5.07 versus 1.7 per 1,000 catheter-days. From blood cultures samples,frequencies of resistance ofPseudomonasisolates to amikacin (29.87% vs 10%) and to imipenem (44.3%vs 26.1%), and ofKlebsiella pneumoniaeisolates to ceftazidime (73.2% vs 28.8%) and to imipenem (43.27%vs 12.8%) were also higher in the INICC ICUs compared with CDC-NHSN ICUs.Conclusions:Although DA-HAIs in INICC ICU patients continue to be higher than the rates reported inCDC-NSHN ICUs representing the developed world, we have observed a significant trend toward the re-duction of DA-HAI rates in INICC ICUs as shown in each international report. It is INICC’s main goal tocontinue facilitating education, training, and basic and cost-effective tools and resources, such as stan-dardized forms and an online platform, to tackle this problem effectively and systematically

Nosocomial infections in the pediatric intensive care units in Lithuania

Objective. The aim of the study was to collect the data on incidence rates, pathogens of nosocomial infections, and antimicrobials for treatment of nosocomial infections. Material and methods. Data were collected between March 2003 and December 2005 in five pediatric intensive care units using a modified patient-based HELICS protocol. Nosocomial infection was identified using the Centers for Disease Control definitions. All patients aged between 1 month and 18 years that stayed in the units for more than 48 hours were eligible for inclusion in this study. Results. A total of 1239 patient admissions and 7601 patient-days were evaluated. In 169 children (13.6%), 186 nosocomial infections occurred. The incidence density was 24.5 per 1000 patient-days, the incidence rate – 15.0 per 100 admissions. The highest incidence density was observed in the 6–12-year age group (31.2 per 1000 bed-days). Nosocomial infection rates per 1000 device-days were 28.8 for ventilator-associated pneumonia, 7.7 – for bloodstream infection, and 3.4 – for urinary tract infection. The most common site of infection was respiratory tract (58.8%). Secondary bacteremia developed in 18 (10.6%) patients. Haemophilus influenzae (20.1%), Acinetobacter spp. (14.2%), and Staphylococcus aureus (17.6%) were the most frequently isolated microorganisms. The most common antimicrobials used were first- and second-generation cephalosporins 74 (31.0%) and broad-spectrum penicillins 70 (29.3%). Conclusions. In Lithuanian pediatric intensive care units, the incidence rates of nosocomial infections were comparable to the available data from other countries, except for the ventilatorassociated pneumonia rate, which was relatively high. H. influenzae, Acinetobacter spp., and S. aureus were the most prevalent pathogens. The first- and second-generation cephalosporins and broad-spectrum penicillins were the most common antimicrobials in the treatment of nosocomial infection

Induced mild hypothermia in children

The objective of this study was to measure outcomes and to determine the safety and effectiveness of mild induced hypothermia in children after traumatic and posthypoxic brain injury. Methods. Forty patients, following traumatic or posthypoxic brain injury, were involved in the study. Mean age was 10.7 ± 0.8 years. Median GCS (Glasgow Coma Scale) was 6.0 (4-7) and mean PIM2 (Pediatric Index of Mortality) 14.6 ± 3.8 %. Results. GOS (Glasgow Outcome Scale) of 5 was assigned for 15 (37.5%) patients, GOS 4 for 14 (35.0%), GOS 3 for 7 (17.5%) and GOS 2 for 4 (10%) patients. The average GOS in patients after severe head trauma was 3.6 ± 0.9 points and in patients with posthypoxic brain injury 5 points, (p < 0.05). No life threatening complications occurred. Conclusion. Mild induced hypothermia can be safely used in pediatric patents after severe traumatic or posthypoxic brain injury. This method may be of benefit while improving outcomes in children

Microbial colonization of the lower airways after insertion of a cuffed endotracheal tube in pediatric patient

Background. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) still remains a common device-associated hospital acquired infection in pediatric and adult intensive care units. The aim of our study was to determine ways of microbial transmission to the lower airways in intubated patients admitted to a single tertiary-care pediatric intensive care unit. Methods. This was a prospective observational study. A total of 284 sample sets (oropharyngeal swabs, swabs from the lumen of the proximal tip of an endotracheal tube, and bronchoalveolar lavage samples) were collected from 62 consecutive pediatric patients intubated for > 24 hours. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was performed on all isolated pathogens, which were later identified by MALDI biotyper (MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry). Results. Overall colonization rates were high and did not differ significantly at different time points in the oropharynx (75%–100%) and the lower airways (50%–76.5%). The endotracheal tube was colonized at lower rates: on day 1–3 (28.8%), on day 4–6 (52.7%), on day 7–9 (61.8%) and on day 10-12 (52.9%) (P < 0.001). A total of 191 matched sample sets from the lower airways and at least one site above were collected from 46 (74.2%) patients. In the oropharynx-lower airways group, Candida spp. (76.9%) and upper airway bacteria (63.2%); in the endotracheal tube-lower airway group, S. aureus (15.7%) and upper airway bacteria (21.1%); in the oropharynx-endotracheal tube-lower airway group, Enterobacteriaceae (70.8%) prevailed (P < 0.001). The mean survival (entrance) time to lower airways for the Acinetobacter/Pseudomonas/Stenotrophomonas group was 8.28 ± 0.81 days; for the Enterobacteriaceae group, 5.63 ± 0.41; and for Candida spp. group, 3.00 ± 0.82 days (P < 0.005). Conclusions. Oropharyngeal contamination of the lower airways is the most important route of colonization. Different pathogens enter the lower airways at different time intervals from the insertion of an endotracheal tube

Hospitalinės infekcijos ekonominis įvertinimas vaikų intensyviosios terapijos skyriuose Lietuvoje

Tyrimo tikslas. Įvertinti trijų Lietuvos vaikų intensyviosios terapijos skyrių tiesiogines išlaidas, susijusias su hospitalinių infekcijų atvejais bei apžvelgti hospitalinių infekcijų prevencijos programos (intervencijos) ekonominį efektyvumą. Metodika. Perspektyvusis stebėsenos tyrimas atliktas trijuose Lietuvos vaikų intensyviosios terapijos skyriuose 2005 m. sausio – 2007 m. gruodžio mėn. Tikslinės atrankos būdu į tyrimą įtraukti visi 1 mėn. – 18 metų vaikai, kurie gydyti vaikų intensyviosios terapijos skyriuose ilgiau nei 48 val. Tiesioginės vaikų intensyviosios terapijos skyrių hospitalinių infekcijų sąlygotos išlaidos apskaičiuotos vienam hospitaline infekcija susirgusiam ligoniui ir vienam hospitalinės infekcijos atvejui. Vidutiniam vieno lovadienio įkainiui apskaičiuoti panaudoti hospitalinių infekcijų registro duomenys, taip pat remtasi ligoninių gaunamų lėšų už suteiktas vaikų reanimacijos paslaugas analize pagal 2005 m. spalio 27 d. Lietuvos Respublikos sveikatos apsaugos ministro įsakymu Nr. V-802 patvirtintus stacionarinių sveikatos priežiūros paslaugų įkainius. Pagal gydymo trukmę reanimacijos paslaugų įkainius ir hospitalinių infekcijų sąlygotas išlaidas visi ligoniai suskirstyti į dvi grupes – įgiję ir neįgiję hospitalinių infekcijų. Vertinant intervencijos ekonominį efektyvumą, ligoniai suskirstyti į kitas dvi grupes – prieš ir po intervencijos. Ekonominis įvertinimas apskaičiuotas nacionaline šalies valiuta – litais. Rezultatai. Tyrime dalyvavo 755 pacientai. Pagal daugialypės tiesinės regresijos modelį (r2=0,47), vienam ligoniui įgijus hospitalinę(-es) infekciją(-as), vaikų intensyviosios terapijos skyriaus gydymo trukmės pailgėjimas sudarė vidutiniškai 6,32 (95 proc. PI: 4,32–8,33; p=0,003) lovadienio. Vieno ligonio įgytos(-ų) hospitalinės(-ių) infekcijos(ų) sąlygotos vidutinės išlaidos sudarė 5215,47 litų (95 proc. PI: 3565,00–6874,19). Vieno hospitalinės infekcijos atvejo sąlygotos vidutinės išlaidos sudarė 4070,61 litų (95 proc. PI: 2782,44–5365,22). Hospitalinių infekcijų profilaktikos programos (intervencijos) bendrasis ekonominis efektas buvo 20046,14 litų. Apsaugojus vieną ligonį nuo hospitalinės(-ių) infekcijos(-ų), išlaidų sumažėjimas sudarė 1336,41 litų, pavykus išvengti vieno hospitalinės infekcijos atvejo, išlaidų sumažėjimas sudarė 1113,67 litų, o sąnaudų ir naudos santykis – 1:4. Išvados. Vaikų intensyviosios terapijos skyrių hospitalinių infekcijų sąlygotos išlaidos buvo pakankamai didelės. Įdiegus hospitalinių infekcijų profilaktikos programoje numatytas priemones, užfiksuotas teigiamas ekonominis efektyvumas – hospitalinių infekcijų profilaktikai panaudojus 1 litą, sutaupyti 4 litai lėšų

Impact of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) Multidimensional Hand Hygiene Approach over 13 Years in 51 Cities of 19 Limited-Resource Countries from Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe

OBJECTIVE. To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) multidimensional hand hygiene approach in 19 limited-resource countries and to analyze predictors of poor hand hygiene compliance. DESIGN. An observational, prospective, cohort, interventional, before-and-after study from April 1999 through December 2011. The study was divided into 2 periods: a 3-month baseline period and a 7-year follow-up period. SETTING. Ninety-nine intensive care unit (ICU) members of the INICC in Argentina, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Greece, India, Lebanon, Lithuania, Macedonia, Mexico, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, and Turkey. PARTICIPANTS. Healthcare workers at 99 ICU members of the INICC. METHODS. A multidimensional hand hygiene approach was used, including (1) administrative support, (2) supplies availability, (3) education and training, (4) reminders in the workplace, (5) process surveillance, and (6) performance feedback. Observations were made for hand hygiene compliance in each ICU, during randomly selected 30-minute periods. RESULTS. A total of 149,727 opportunities for hand hygiene were observed. Overall hand hygiene compliance increased from 48.3% to 71.4% (P < .01). Univariate analysis indicated that several variables were significantly associated with poor hand hygiene compliance, including males versus females (63% vs 70%; P < .001), physicians versus nurses (62% vs 72%; P < .001), and adult versus neonatal ICUs (67% vs 81%; P < .001), among others. CONCLUSIONS. Adherence to hand hygiene increased by 48% with the INICC approach. Specific programs directed to improve hand hygiene for variables found to be predictors of poor hand hygiene compliance should be implemented. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2013;34(4):415-42