Healthcare-associated infections in the pediatric intensive care unit

Issue title: Management of Infections in Pediatric Critical Care

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Guzman-Cottrill, Judith A. | Kirby, Aileen

Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA | Department of Pediatrics, Division of Critical Care, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA

Note: [] Corresponding author: Judith A. Guzman-Cottrill, DO, Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health and Science University, 707 SW Gaines Road, Mailcode CDRC-P, Portland, OR 97239, USA. Tel.: +1 503 494 3305; E-mail: guzmanco@ohsu.edu

Abstract: Healthcare-associated infections cause significant morbidity and mortality in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) patients. Critically ill children frequently require the placement of invasive devices, such as central venous catheters, urinary catheters, and endotracheal tubes. Each device increases a patient's risk of acquiring infection. In this review, the diagnosis and management of common healthcare-associated infections in the PICU is discussed. This review also examines several infection prevention strategies used in the PICU.

Keywords: Healthcare-associated infection, central line-associated bloodstream infection, ventilator-associated pneumonia, catheter-associated urinary tract infection, hospital-onset respiratory virus infection

DOI: 10.3233/PIC-14110

Journal: Journal of Pediatric Intensive Care, vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 281-289, 2014