Use of central venous catheter and peripheral venous catheter as risk factors for nosocomial bloodstream infection in very-low-birth-weight infants.

Objective: To describe the relationship between the use of central and peripheral venous catheters and the risk of nosocomial, primary, laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infection (BSI) for neonates with a birth weight less than 1,500 g (very-low-birth-weight [VLBW] infants).

Methods: Cox proportional hazard regression analysis with time-dependent variable was used to determine the risk factors for the occurrence of BSI in a cohort of VLBW infants. We analyzed previously collected surveillance data from the German national nosocomial surveillance system for VLBW infants.

How outbreaks can contribute to prevention of nosocomial infection: analysis of 1,022 outbreaks.

Objective: To describe the epidemiology of nosocomial outbreaks published in the scientific literature.

Design: Descriptive information was obtained from a sample of 1,022 published nosocomial outbreaks from 1966 to 2002.

Methods: Published nosocomial outbreaks of the most important nosocomial pathogens were included in the database.

A cluster of nosocomial Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infections in a neonatal intensive care department: Identification of transmission and intervention.

Objective: We sought to determine the cause and mode of transmission of a cluster of bloodstream infections as a result of Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Design And Setting: We conducted a prospective cohort study in a neonatal intensive care department from May 1999 to December 2000.

Methods: We performed surveillance of nosocomial infections, and clinical and environmental investigations.