Reducing acquired infections in the NICU: observing and implementing meaningful differences in process between high and low acquired infection rate centers.

Background: Acquired infection is one of the most prevalent sources of concern in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Center-to-center variation has been noted by both the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System and the Vermont Oxford Network suggesting that site of care influences outcomes including acquired infection.

Objective: To reduce the acquired infection rate by isolating and then implementing meaningful process differences between high and low infection rate centers.