Does a Presurgical Antisepsis Protocol Decrease Surgical Site Infections in Young Children?

National standards for surgical site infection (SSI) prevention for children remain elusive. Our institution developed a presurgical antisepsis protocol that included the three components of chlorhexidine gluconate bathing wipes, chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse, and povidone-iodine nasal swab. This retrospective cohort study examined data from electronic health records to compare SSI rates before and after protocol implementation.

The voice of adolescents: Perceptions of isolation during hospitalization.

There is a lack of understanding of the pediatric patient experience in isolation. This qualitative, descriptive study interviewed adolescent patients during their hospital stay about their perception of isolation. This article analyzes the themes gleaned from the interviews as well as nursing practice implications and strategies in caring for young patients in isolation.

The Patient's Voice: Development of an Adolescent Hospital Quality of Care Survey (AHQOCS).

Purpose: To develop an adolescent determined hospital quality of care survey.

Background: Adolescents do not currently evaluate their quality of hospital care. Hospital satisfaction surveys are mailed following discharge to parents, and parental input may not reflect adolescent perception.

How Do Youth with Cystic Fibrosis Perceive Their Readiness to Transition to Adult Healthcare Compared to Their Caregivers' Views?

Purpose: To describe how perceived stages of change for self-care management skills varies by age in youth with cystic fibrosis in preparation for transition to adult healthcare, to compare caregiver perception of youth readiness for self-care, and age/frequency of transition discussion with provider.

Design And Methods: The Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire and a modified version (TRAQ-C) for caregivers were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics, simple linear regression, and t-tests were employed.

Treatment of refractory psoriatic arthritis with infliximab: a 12 month observational study of 16 patients.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and toxicity of infliximab in patients with recalcitrant psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods: Patients with treatment resistant PsA and at least six actively inflamed joints, who had failed to respond to at least two disease modifying agents, were included. Infliximab (5 mg/kg) was given at weeks 0, 2, 6, and every 6-8 weeks pending response.