Infection Disease & Health最新文献

{"title":"Does policy and practice for peripheral intravenous catheters match clinical standards? A point prevalence study","authors":"Josephine Lovegrove ,&nbsp;Sally Havers ,&nbsp;Jessica Schults ,&nbsp;Gillian Ray-Barruel ,&nbsp;Alice Bhasale ,&nbsp;Samantha Keogh ,&nbsp;Sarah Smith ,&nbsp;Jemima Fritts ,&nbsp;Amanda J. Ullman ,&nbsp;Hui (Grace) Xu ,&nbsp;Claire M. Rickard","doi":"10.1016/j.idh.2025.09.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idh.2025.09.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) face complications from inadequate care, posing patient safety risks. The Australian ‘Management of Peripheral Intravenous Catheters Clinical Care Standard’ sets an expected level-of-care, but current adoption of the Standard into policy and practice is unknown.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A multi-site point prevalence study was conducted in 134 acute hospital wards across 21 hospitals in 8 health services in one Australian state. Patients with ≥1 PIVC were included. Adherence to the Standard's 10 Quality Statements (QSs) was measured against the Standard's 13 structural and process indicators, and 6 additional study measures. Overall binary adherence for each QS was achieved when all indicators were met.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Adherence with Standard structural indicators ranged from 19 % to 43 %, while additional structural measures met 57.9 %–100 % adherence. For process indicators, 788 patients were included. Most had PIVCs used for a therapeutic purpose since insertion (91 %), and in the last 24-h (81 %), could identify the reason for their PIVC (86 %), and had clean, dry, secure PIVC dressings (81 %). Fewer had PIVCs inserted on the first attempt (70 %), had a documented insertion indication (80 %), or documented assessment of ongoing PIVC need (61 %). Notably, 53 % had PIVCs in an area-of-flexion and 42 % had documented PIVC inspections at least 8-hourly. Overall binary adherence was met for 2/10 (20 %) Standard QSs.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Despite a clear level of expected care for PIVCs, much unwarranted variation exists in policy and practice. Reform of local guidelines, policies, and processes to standardise PIVC care across hospitals and strategies to improve Standard adherence are needed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45006,"journal":{"name":"Infection Disease & Health","volume":"31 2","pages":"Article 100391"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145318807","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Structures, processes and outcomes for establishing a statewide infection prevention and control service for Queensland, Australia","authors":"Belinda Henderson ,&nbsp;Michelle Doidge ,&nbsp;Kathryn O'Brien ,&nbsp;Toni McLean ,&nbsp;Sally Healy ,&nbsp;Heidi Carroll ,&nbsp;Brydie Edwards ,&nbsp;Merrick Powell ,&nbsp;Catherine Viengkham ,&nbsp;Ramon Z. Shaban","doi":"10.1016/j.idh.2025.11.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idh.2025.11.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Healthcare-associated infections, communicable diseases and antimicrobial resistance pose significant threats to the health and safety of people globally. In the Commonwealth of Australia, the responsibility for infection prevention and control governance at population levels is shared principally between state and federal governments, which work in concert to reduce the risk and impact of communicable disease within both healthcare and community settings. The federated nature of Australia with separation of powers between the jurisdictions and national government has led to variation in how these issues are managed within each of Australia's six states and two self-governing internal territories.</div><div>In this paper, we use the Donabedian Framework to describe and document the structures, processes and outcomes of a newly established statewide infection prevention and control service, called the <em>Queensland Infection Prevention and Control Unit</em>. We canvas both the historical and contemporary landscape of infection prevention and control in Australia, and provide a comprehensive overview of the legislative and regulatory considerations that underpinned the new statewide infection prevention and control service in Queensland, Australia's third most populous state. We explore how this unit has been integrated into the broader health department, including existing communicable disease and surveillance bodies, and provide a brief overview of the preliminary outcomes achieved during the unit's first year of operation. In sharing our experiences, we hope to provide a useful resource for those in other jurisdictions nationally and globally undertaking similar ventures for prioritising infection prevention and disease control at population scale.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45006,"journal":{"name":"Infection Disease & Health","volume":"31 2","pages":"Article 100399"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145967925","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An investigation of Infection Prevention and Control professionals’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: A global perspective","authors":"Matt Mason ,&nbsp;Jocelyne M. Basseal ,&nbsp;Roslyn Walker ,&nbsp;Peta-Anne Zimmerman","doi":"10.1016/j.idh.2025.10.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idh.2025.10.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Infection prevention and control (IPC) professionals played a vital role during COVID-19, yet their experiences remain largely unexplored. Understanding these experiences is crucial for strengthening health system preparedness for future outbreaks/pandemic. This study investigates IPC professionals' preparedness, response capacity, knowledge base, and barriers/enablers during COVID-19 to inform future pandemic planning.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in 2024 among IPC professionals worldwide through WHO's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network partners and professional IPC organisations. The survey was translated into five languages, comprising 30 questions that covered demographics, professional preparedness, response capacity, and pandemic experiences. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively using SPSS, while qualitative responses underwent thematic analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Eighty-six responses from 19 countries were analysed, with participants mainly from Australia (48.8 %), Canada (17.4 %), and the United Kingdom (8.1 %). Most worked in government hospitals (54.7 %) with dedicated IPC roles (57.0 %) and over five years of experience (73.2 %). Four interconnected themes emerged: establishing IPC as vital expertise, confronting the psychological toll of IPC work, navigating shifting guidance and policy, and managing resource scarcity and workforce strain. Participants reported a lack of recognition as “front-line” staff, significant psychological burdens including post-traumatic stress, challenges with rapidly changing guidance undermining staff trust, and overwhelming workloads without additional resources.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>IPC professionals showed remarkable dedication despite facing structural neglect and emotional difficulties. Findings highlight the urgent need to formalise IPC leadership roles within health systems, ensure proper recognition and resources, and incorporate psychosocial support measures to enhance pandemic preparedness and response capacity worldwide.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45006,"journal":{"name":"Infection Disease & Health","volume":"31 2","pages":"Article 100397"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145508624","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Monitoring urinary tract infections in residents of Australian aged care homes: Clinical and microbiological characteristics identified through a pilot surveillance program","authors":"Lyn-li Lim ,&nbsp;N. Deborah Friedman ,&nbsp;Stephanie K. Tanamas ,&nbsp;Leon J. Worth ,&nbsp;Roman Mykytowycz ,&nbsp;Noleen Bennett","doi":"10.1016/j.idh.2025.100404","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idh.2025.100404","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a significant burden among residents of aged care homes (ACHs). The objective of this study was to describe ‘UTI event’ data reported by Australian ACHs, and to compare clinical and microbiological characteristics with surveillance and clinical case-definitions for UTI.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Australian ACHs involved in the pilot National Infection Surveillance Program for Aged Care (NISPAC) were offered participation in a pilot study of UTI surveillance. Standardised data collection tools captured resident-days, catheter-days, clinical and microbiological event data. Reported UTI events were evaluated to determine whether criteria for accepted surveillance (Stone/revised McGeer) or clinical (Australian Therapeutic Guideline) UTI case-definitions were met.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>136,333 resident days and 4,659 resident catheter-days were submitted by 25 ACHs from five Australian jurisdictions. In total, 172 UTI events with at least one sign or symptom were reported (150 in non-catheterised residents and 21 in catheterised residents), with the most commonly reported being ‘new onset confusion or functional decline’ (116/172, 67.4%). Almost half (71/150, 47.3%) non-catheterised resident events did not meet either Stone or Therapeutic Guidelines modified case definitions for UTI. Over half (45/89, 50.6%) of urine cultures from non-catheterised residents met laboratory criteria for UTI but lacked sufficient signs or symptoms to fulfil UTI case definitions.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Nearly half of reported UTI events did not meet surveillance or clinical case-definitions. This highlights the need to support initiatives to improve clinician recognition of UTI, recognise asymptomatic bacteriuria and understand the limitations of relying on urine culture alone to confirm UTI.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45006,"journal":{"name":"Infection Disease & Health","volume":"31 2","pages":"Article 100404"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145978970","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Behind the mask: Clinician practices and attitudes on reprocessing positive airway pressure (PAP) devices","authors":"O.A. McGuiness ,&nbsp;S. Sivam ,&nbsp;C. Menadue ,&nbsp;K.L. Melehan ,&nbsp;A.J. Piper","doi":"10.1016/j.idh.2025.100402","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idh.2025.100402","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>There are no evidence-based guidelines concerning reprocessing of positive airway pressure (PAP) devices between users. Consequently, current practices are based on local policies and interpretation of manufacturer instructions. As many PAP users start with loaned equipment, understanding PAP device hygiene is a priority. Little is known about PAP device reprocessing procedures or clinician confidence in reprocessing procedures across Australia.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>An online anonymous survey was administered to clinicians involved in reprocessing PAP devices between users. This survey was sent to both targeted clinicians known to provide non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and openly circulated to any clinician managing PAP devices via mailing lists, to understand current practices.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>There was a response rate of 41 % (20/49) for targeted respondents with a total of 66 completed responses. 53 % of respondents had &gt;10 years of experience with 86 % providing NIV. Confidence in NIV machine reprocessing in institutions was 81 mm (IQR 70–90.5 mm) on a 100 mm visual analogue scale. Less than 30 % of respondents described specific cleaning processes for multi-resistant organisms (MROs). A device isolation period before reissue occurred at 26 % of sites providing home NIV. Thematic analysis identified waste concerns due to mandated single use items, uncertainty about MROs and evolving requirements for tracking of equipment.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This is the first known survey investigating PAP reprocessing practices by experienced clinicians, showing limited procedural variability with variable confidence in procedures used. Evidence-based guidelines are needed to reduce uncertainty and practice variability with consideration of risk mitigation and principles of sustainable healthcare.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45006,"journal":{"name":"Infection Disease & Health","volume":"31 2","pages":"Article 100402"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145979132","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of coding data with clinical diagnosis of antibiotic-resistant healthcare-associated infections","authors":"Seamus Horan ,&nbsp;Vivian K.Y. Leung ,&nbsp;Paul M. Kinsella ,&nbsp;N. Deborah Friedman ,&nbsp;Irani Thevarajan ,&nbsp;Caroline Marshall","doi":"10.1016/j.idh.2025.100405","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idh.2025.100405","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Despite increasing use of International Classification of Disease (ICD) coding data to detect hospital-acquired complications, evidence of its accuracy is limited. Infections with multidrug resistant organisms (MROs) is a subcategory of healthcare-associated infection (HAI) with increased morbidity and mortality. This study compared ICD coding to clinical diagnosis for detection of MRO HAIs.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We calculated the positive predictive value (PPV) and estimated the sensitivity of hospital coding in identifying clinical MRO HAIs. We reviewed admissions in 2023 that had an MRO HAI code applied to assess for clinical evidence of MRO HAIs. The PPV of coded MRO HAI in detecting clinical MRO HAI was calculated. A second PPV, which excluded <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> solely resistant to penicillin and <em>Klebsiella</em> species solely resistant to amoxicillin, was calculated to assess whether minor exclusions of expected resistance patterns of no clinical relevance could improve the PPV.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>There were 262 MRO HAI codes across 122 relevant admissions in 2023. Clinical MRO HAI was confirmed in 76 admissions (PPV 62 %). Excluding expected resistance patterns increased the PPV to 73 %. Analysis of the 11 cases of healthcare-associated ESBL bacteraemia identified that three received an MRO HAI code (sensitivity 27 %).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Using coded data to determine presence of MRO HAIs is unlikely to be of sufficient accuracy to guide prevention activities or be used as a quality metric.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45006,"journal":{"name":"Infection Disease & Health","volume":"31 2","pages":"Article 100405"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146021259","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative study of the performance of the manual backpack sprayer and the advanced handheld electrostatic disinfection device for the sanitization of inanimate surfaces","authors":"Aarti Chauhan ,&nbsp;Manoj Kumar Patel ,&nbsp;Manoj Kumar Nayak ,&nbsp;Nadarajah Manivannan ,&nbsp;Geoffrey Robert Mitchell","doi":"10.1016/j.idh.2025.100403","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idh.2025.100403","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The effective disinfection and sanitization of public spaces is essential due to the factors contributing to the spread of infections. High-traffic areas are particularly vulnerable to the transmission of infectious diseases. Various methods are employed to ensure effective disinfection and sanitization, including UV-C disinfection, fogging, and conventional spraying. However, each of these techniques comes with its own set of limitations. This study aims to compare the efficiency of electrostatic and manual backpack sprayers in killing pathogens found in a laboratory environment. Parameters responsible for effective electrostatic spraying were also critically examined.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The efficiency of both sprayers was tested on 16 commonly encountered inanimate surfaces in a laboratory environment. Pre-determined colonies of <em>Escherichia coli (E. coli)</em> were spread over the marked surface to be tested. A paired t-test was employed to assess pre- and post-sanitization microbial load when electrostatic spraying was done, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was implemented to analyze the significant difference between the two techniques.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The results showed that electrostatic spraying of H₂O₂ (2%) with a contact time of 10 min achieved more than a 6 log-reduction on vertical, horizontal, and curved surfaces (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.01). Also, the time taken for spraying with an electrostatic device was half that of a manual backpack sprayer.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The results showed that the electrostatic spraying technique is equally effective in reaching curved and hidden surfaces as it is for incident surfaces.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45006,"journal":{"name":"Infection Disease & Health","volume":"31 2","pages":"Article 100403"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145979133","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of test methods and the efficacy of hypochlorous acid water atomization against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in hospital rooms","authors":"Mikio Takahashi ,&nbsp;Osamu Simooki","doi":"10.1016/j.idh.2025.10.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idh.2025.10.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of hypochlorous acid water has been spreading. However, limited studies have assessed its safety and efficacy when atomised in hospital environments. This study evaluated the disinfection performance of atomised hypochlorous acid water against <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em>, a key pathogen in nosocomial infection control.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Two test methods for <em>P. aeruginosa</em>, which is susceptible to drying, have been developed. In the first method, 10 μL of bacterial suspension was pipetted onto five spots in a Petri dish, allowed to dry, and solidified (bacterial suspension ‘pipetting method’). The second method involved diluting the bacterial suspension 100-fold in saline and pouring 8 mL into a Petri dish (bacterial suspension ‘pooling method’).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In the pipetting method, no reduction in viable bacteria was observed following atomization of 40 ppm hypochlorous acid water, whereas a significant bactericidal effect (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001) was detected at 300 ppm. Conversely, in the pooling method, a significant reduction in viable bacteria (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.01) was observed at 40 ppm, with bacterial counts falling below the detection limit at 300 ppm, clearly demonstrating a strong bactericidal effect. The effectiveness of the pooling method may be attributed to enhanced penetration of hypochlorous acid particles, which could promote oxidative action.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>These findings confirm the bactericidal efficacy of hypochlorous acid water atomization in hospital wards against <em>P. aeruginosa</em>. Furthermore, as a performance test, these methods were close to real clinical settings in terms of nutritional conditions and the pooling method could properly evaluate desiccation-sensitive bacteria.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45006,"journal":{"name":"Infection Disease & Health","volume":"31 2","pages":"Article 100394"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145672914","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Management, use and documentation of off-label antimicrobials in the operating theatre: A survey of Australian hospital pharmacists","authors":"Nadine T. Hillock ,&nbsp;Matthew Rawlins ,&nbsp;Edward Raby ,&nbsp;Courtney Ierano","doi":"10.1016/j.idh.2025.12.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idh.2025.12.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Optimising antimicrobial use during surgery is essential for preventing surgical site infections, ensuring patient safety and minimising the risk of antimicrobial resistance. To investigate the management, use and documentation of ‘off-label’ antimicrobials in Australian operating theatres (OT).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross-sectional online survey of hospital pharmacists with expertise in antimicrobial stewardship, surgery or and/or medication safety. Demographic and quantitative questions were analysed using descriptive statistics. Free-text responses underwent reflexive thematic analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Responses from 61 Australian hospital pharmacists were analysed. 83 % of survey participants reported that ceftriaxone was stocked in OT, with 70 % and 62 % stocking IV amoxicillin-clavulanate and piperacillin-tazobactam respectively. Vancomycin (34 %), rifampicin (18 %) and gentamicin (16 %) were the most commonly used antimicrobials for wound irrigation. Over half (51 %) of participants reported seeing vancomycin powder applied directly to surgical sites. Thematic analysis of free-text responses generated three dominant themes: surgical staff work-arounds, risks to patient safety, and detached or unclear pharmacist role in OT.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Broad-spectrum antimicrobials are used topically as washes, soaks, and applied directly to surgical sites, however the extent of this practice is unclear due to poor documentation. There is wide variation between hospitals regarding which antimicrobials are kept in OT, with inconsistent compliance to systems restricting use in this setting. Opportunities to improve the use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials include: better utilisation of automated dispensing cabinets to track use and facilitate audits, embedding of pharmacists in OT to improve management, and policies to ensure documentation and patient consent for use outside of evidence-based guidelines.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45006,"journal":{"name":"Infection Disease & Health","volume":"31 2","pages":"Article 100401"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145886402","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pediatric ECMO and infection risk: A retrospective study on surgical site and bloodstream infections","authors":"Samiyah Althagafi ,&nbsp;Mashael Alenzi ,&nbsp;Mohammed Alsuhaibani ,&nbsp;Afnan Almalki ,&nbsp;Fahad Alrawaf ,&nbsp;Raghad Alhuthil ,&nbsp;Reem Albeheri ,&nbsp;Hibah Alruwaisan ,&nbsp;Ohoud Alyabes ,&nbsp;Sami Al-Hajjar","doi":"10.1016/j.idh.2025.10.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.idh.2025.10.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is associated with severe complications, such as surgical site infections (SSI) and bloodstream infections (BSI). This study investigated the incidence, risk factors, common pathogens, and mortality rates of SSI and BSI in pediatric ECMO patients.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This retrospective cohort study included patients aged ≤14 years who received ECMO from (January 2012–December 2022) at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The analysis of 163 ECMO episodes revealed that 51.5 % were males with a median age of 4 months [IQR: 0.8–24]. BSI occurred in 8 (4.9 %) cases (incidence: 6.8 cases per 1000 ECMO days), with pathogens including <em>Coagulase-negative staphylococcus</em> (25.0 %), <em>Escherichia coli</em> (25.0 %), and <em>Candida species</em> (25.0 %). SSI occurred in 31 (19.0 %) cases (incidence: 26.5 cases per 1000 ECMO days), with primary pathogens including <em>Coagulase-negative staphylococcus</em> (40.0 %) and <em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em> (25.0 %). Composite infections (SSI and/or BSI) occurred in 36 (22.1 %) cases with a median of 5 ECMO days [IQR: 4–10]. In univariable analysis, composite infections were significantly associated with longer ICU stays, with a median of 35 days in infected patients compared to 25 days in those without infection (<em>P</em> = 0.032). Yet, prophylactic antimicrobials did not significantly reduce infection risk (<em>P</em> = 0.265). The in-hospital mortality was 49.1 % (80/163).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The incidence of SSI and BSI in this cohort was influenced by prolonged ICU stay. However, a larger cohort is recommended to support our findings. Clinicians managing ECMO patients should prioritize infection prevention strategies and remain vigilant for early-onset infections to ensure effective clinical management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45006,"journal":{"name":"Infection Disease & Health","volume":"31 2","pages":"Article 100395"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145484441","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}