A multimodal approach to central venous catheter hub care can decrease catheter-related bloodstream infection.

Background: This study was conducted to investigate decreases in catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) through an evidence-based multimodal intervention.

Methods: This was a prospective interventional study of neonates with a central venous catheter (CVC) from a neonatal intensive care unit database, involving implementation of a multimodal approach to central venous catheter hub care using 2% chlorhexidine in 70% isopropyl alcohol and education of medical staff by audiovisual presentations. CRBSI rates in the pre-intervention period and postintervention period were compared.

Outbreak of Acinetobacter infection in extremely low birth weight neonates.

Objective: We describe the first outbreak of multiple drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR-Ab) in a neonatal intensive care unit in the United States.

Design/methods: MDR-Ab was identified in the blood of a 24-week gestation, 7-day-old extremely low birth weight neonate. Multiple samplings of surveillance surface cultures were performed on exposed and nonexposed neonates.

Outbreak of parainfluenza virus type 3 in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Parainfluenza virus (PIV) causes > 30% of all acute respiratory infections in infants and children and is second only to respiratory syncytial virus as a cause of lower respiratory tract infection. However in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), PIV outbreaks are highly uncommon. This case report describes an outbreak of 3 cases of PIV type 3 in a regional NICU.