Device-associated infections in the pediatric intensive care unit at the American University of Beirut Medical Center.

INTRODUCTION: Device-associated healthcare-associated infections (DA-HAIs) are the principal threat to patient safety in intensive care units (ICUs).  The primary objective of this study was to identify the most common DA-HAIs in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC). Length of stay (LOS) and mortality, antimicrobial resistance patterns, and suitability of empiric antibiotic choices for DA-HAIs according to the local resistance patterns were also studied.

METHODOLOGY: This was a retrospective study that included all patients admitted to the PICU at AUBMC between January 2007 and December 2011. All patients admitted to the PICU having a placed central line, an endotracheal tube, and/or a Foley catheter were included. Data was extracted from the patients' medical records through chart review. A total of 22 patients were identified with 25 central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), 25 ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), and 9 catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). The causing organisms, their resistance patterns, and the appropriateness of empiric antimicrobial therapy were reported.

RESULTS: Gram-negative pathogens were found in 53% of the DA-HAIs, Gram-positive ones in 27%, and fungal organisms in 20%. A total of 80% of K. pneumonia isolates were extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) producers, and 30% of Pseudomonas isolates were multidrug resistant. No methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) were isolated. Based on culture results, the choice of empiric antimicrobial therapy was appropriate in 64% of the DA-HAIs.

CONCLUSIONS: After the care bundle approach is adopted in our PICU, DA-HAIs are expected to decrease further.