Nosocomial infections in the pediatric intensive care unit: affecting the impact on safety and outcome.
OBJECTIVE
To define the most common types of nosocomial infections in critically ill children and to summarize the effect of methods to reduce their prevalence.


METHODS
Review of published literature.


RESULTS
While in the pediatric intensive care unit, 16% of children develop a nosocomial infection. Processes affecting modifiable factors of care can reduce the prevalence of hospital-acquired infections.


CONCLUSIONS
The occurrence of a nosocomial infection represents failure and is not an acceptable outcome of treating critically ill children. Evidence-based process improvement can lead to significant reductions in hospital-acquired infections in children. Most of the processes and practices discussed are not novel or intriguing but, when performed routinely and appropriately, can lead to reductions in hospital-acquired infections.
Stockwell
Jana Alhart
JA
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA.
D002648:Child; D016638:Critical Illness; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017751:Safety Management / Q000379:methods