Cefepime use in a pediatric intensive care unit reduces colonization with resistant bacilli.

Background: Cefepime has activity against many hospital-acquired Gram-negative pathogens resistant to earlier beta-lactam antibiotics. This study was designed to test whether preferential use of cefepime in a pediatric intensive care unit could reduce enteric colonization with antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative rods.

Methods: After a 6-month period of uncontrolled antibiotic use, cefepime was preferentially used during 2 years as treatment for nosocomial or serious community-acquired infection.

Etiology of fever and opportunities for reduction of antibiotic use in a pediatric intensive care unit.

Objective: To determine the cause of fever in critically ill children and to identify opportunities for reducing antibiotic use in this population.

Design: Prospective case series.

Setting: A tertiary-care medical-surgical pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).