Preventing bloodstream infection in patients receiving home parenteral nutrition.

Patients receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN) are at particularly high risk of meticillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI). We developed a multidisciplinary enhanced care pathway encompassing a number of minimal cost interventions involving line/exit site care, training for staff and parents, multidisciplinary discharge planning, and monitoring compliance. Implementation reduced the mean rates of MSSA CRBSI (from 0.

Antimicrobial treatment of serious gram-negative infections in newborns.

The choice of antibiotics for serious Gram-negative bacterial infections in the newborn must balance delivery of effective antibiotics to the site(s) of infection with the need to minimize selection of antibiotic resistance. To reduce the risk of selective pressure from large-scale cephalosporin usage, a penicillin-aminoglycoside combination is recommended as empiric therapy for neonatal sepsis. Where Gram-negative sepsis is strongly suspected or proven, a third-generation cephalosporin should ordinarily replace penicillin.

Management of antibiotic-resistant infection in the newborn.

We are inexorably entering an era where a wide range of multiply antibiotic-resistant bacteria are commonplace. Until recently, multiresistance was mainly seen in Gram-positive bacteria. However, vancomycin remains adequate as a treatment of most infections with these bacteria.

Surveillance of infection in neonatal intensive care units.

Monitoring infection rates is increasingly regarded as an important contributor to safe and high quality health care, especially in intensive care settings. Early-onset neonatal sepsis rates are an important indicator of ante- and intra-partum care, especially as medicalisation of obstetric practice increases. However, surveillance of late-onset neonatal sepsis is required to monitor the quality of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)-related care.

A 7-year study of bloodstream infections in an English children's hospital.

Unlabelled: Knowledge of the pattern of bloodstream infection (BSI) can help determine antibiotic prescribing policy and infection control procedures. Data on 2364 consecutive episodes of BSI at Birmingham Children's Hospital over 7 years were collected prospectively. A total of 1224 (51.

Childhood tuberculosis and its early diagnosis.

Traditional methods for laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis are unsatisfactory, especially for children, in whose specimens mycobacteria are usually sparse. Recent changes in tuberculosis epidemiology in developed countries, including a large increase in incidence in children from certain ethnic minorities, have prompted interest in newer diagnostic methods. Liquid-based culture detection systems offer improved sensitivity and speed of diagnosis, although the time taken for detection of growth is still upwards of 1 week.