Blood culture collection practices in NICU; A national survey.

Blood culture contamination is a common problem in the emergency department (ED) that leads to unnecessary patient morbidity and health care costs. The study objective was to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a quality improvement (QI) intervention for reducing blood culture contamination in an ED. The authors developed a QI intervention to reduce blood culture contamination in the ED and then evaluated its effectiveness in a prospective interrupted times series study. The QI intervention involved changing the technique of blood culture specimen collection from the traditional clean procedure to a new sterile procedure, with standardized use of sterile gloves and a new materials kit containing a 2% chlorhexidine skin antisepsis device, a sterile fenestrated drape, a sterile needle, and a procedural checklist. The intervention was implemented in a university-affiliated ED and its effect on blood culture contamination evaluated by comparing the biweekly percentages of blood cultures contaminated during a 48-week baseline period (clean technique) and 48-week intervention period (sterile technique), using segmented regression analysis with adjustment for secular trends and first-order autocorrelation. The goal was to achieve and maintain a contamination rate below 3%. During the baseline period, 321 of 7,389 (4.3%) cultures were contaminated, compared to 111 of 6,590 (1.7%) during the intervention period (p < 0.001). In the segmented regression model, the intervention was associated with an immediate 2.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.2% to 3.2%) absolute reduction in contamination. The contamination rate was maintained below 3% during each biweekly interval throughout the intervention period. A QI assessment of ED blood culture contamination led to development of a targeted intervention to convert the process of blood culture collection from a clean to a fully sterile procedure. Implementation of this intervention led to an immediate and sustained reduction of contamination in an ED with a high baseline contamination rate.

Objective To summarise the clinical data of neonatal early onset sepsis (EOS) and investigate the correlation factors, clinical manifestation, diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of EOS. Methods Data of 32 neonatal EOS patients admitted into the neonatal intensive care unit, Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2000 to June 2009 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Results Among 32 EOS infants, there were 23 preterm infants (71.9%), nine term infants (28.1%); 21 low birth weight infants (65.6%), six very low birth weight infants (18.8%) and one macrosomia (3.1%). Among 32 mothers, 27 (84.4%) were accompanied with various kinds of complications during perinatal period, such as 15 perinatal infection (46.9%), six preeclampsia (18.8%), five gestational diabetes mellitus (15.6%) and one hypothyroidism (3.1%). EOS infants had various clinical manifestations, including 25 low response (78.1%), 20 respiration or temperature abnormity (62.5%), 18 pallor and clammy skin (56.3%), 18 feeding intolerance (56.3%), 18 fever (56.3%), 15 metabolic acidosis (46.9%), 8 infectious shock (25.0%), 20(62.5%) high white blood cell count (>25×109/L), 22 (68.8%) low blood platelets ( 8 mg/L). Blood culture of 24 infants were positive (75.0%), among which nine infections were caused by gram-positive bacteria (9/24, 37.5%), including Listeria monocytogenes, group B Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, et al; 15 infections were caused by gram-negative bacteria (15/24, 62.5%), including Klebsiella Pneumoniae, Enterobacteria, Bacillus Smaragdinus, et al. Antibiotics were used in all infants when EOS was supposed to be or infectious symptoms were presented, and were adjusted under the results of culture. Twenty-two infants (68.8%) were cured, eight(25.0%) were given up from the therapy, two(6.3%) died. Conclusions The neonatal EOS correlates to various kinds of perinatal factors, its clinical manifestations are complicated and usually involves many systems. Multiple factors in perinatal period, clinical manifestation and laboratory examinations should be considered to make early diagnosis, assist management to improve the prognosis. Key words: Sepsis; Infant, newborn; Prognosis

Nutrition affects the growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants, yet controversies exist about the optimal enteral feeding regime. The objective of this study was to compare enteral feeding guidelines in Canadian neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The research team identified key enteral feeding practices of interest. Canadian Neonatal Network site investigators at 30 Level 3 NICUs were contacted to obtain a copy of their 2016 to 2017 feeding guidelines for infants who weighed less than 1,500 g at birth. Each guideline was reviewed to compare recommendations around the selected feeding practices. Five of the 30 NICUs did not have a feeding guideline. The other 25 NICUs used 22 different enteral feeding guidelines. The guidelines in 40% of those NICUs recommend commencing minimal enteral nutrition (MEN) within 24 hours of birth and maintaining that same feeding volume for 24 to 96 hours. In 40% of NICUs, the guideline recommended that MEN be initiated at a volume of 5 to 10 mL/kg/day for infants born at <1,000 g. Guidelines in all 25 NICUs recommend the use of bovine-based human milk fortifier (HMF), and in 56% of NICUs, it is recommended that HMF be initiated at a total fluid intake of 100 mL/kg/day. Guidelines in only 16% of NICUs recommended routine gastric residual checks. Donor milk and probiotics are used in 76% and 72% of the 25 NICUs, respectively. This study revealed substantial variability in recommended feeding practices for very low birth weight infants, underscoring the need to establish a national feeding guideline for this vulnerable group.

Contamination of Blood Cultures From Arterial Catheters and Peripheral Venipuncture in Critically Ill Patients: A Prospective Multicenter Diagnostic Study

To compare the transfusion practices between two neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) to assess the impact of local practice styles on the timing, number, and total volume of packed red cell transfusions in very low birth weight infants. To derive multivariate models to describe practice and to identify potential areas for improvement in the future. We reviewed phlebotomy losses and transfusion rates between two NICUs (A and B) for 270 consecutive admissions of birth weight < 1500 g. We stratified for birth weight and for illness severity by the Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology (SNAP). Measures of short-term outcome were compared. We derived multivariate models to describe and compare the practices in the two NICUs. Patients in NICU A had smaller phlebotomy losses than those in NICU B. A lower percentage of the patients in NICU A (65% vs 87%) received transfusions, but they tended to receive a greater total volume per kg per patient (67 mL/kg vs 54.8 mL/kg). Transfusion timing differed between the NICUs; in NICU A only approximately one-half of their transfusions occurred in the first 2 weeks, whereas in NICU B almost 70% of the transfusions were given in this time period. Multivariate models showed that phlebotomy losses were significantly related to lower gestational age (GA) and higher SNAP. Hospitalization in NICU B resulted in 10.7 cc of additional losses relative to NICU A for a comparable GA and illness severity score. The volume of blood transfused per kilogram of body weight was a function of GA, SNAP, and hospital. Care practices in NICU A added an additional 19 cc of transfused volume in the first 14 days of life, and an additional 26 cc thereafter when adjusted for GA and SNAP. These differences in phlebotomy and transfusion were not associated with differences in the days of oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation, the oxygen requirement at 28 days, the incidence of chronic lung disease, or the rate of growth by day 28. We identified significant differences in phlebotomy and transfusion practices between two NICUs. We found no differences in short-term outcome, suggesting that the additional use of blood in one of the NICUs was discretionary rather than necessary. Our multivariate models can be used to characterize and quantify transfusion and phlebotomy practices. By predicting which patients are likely to require multiple transfusions, clinicians can target patients for erythropoietin therapy and identify those patients for whom donor exposure can be reduced by a unit of blood for multiple use. The models may help in monitoring changes in practice as they occur.

Rehabilitation specialists are an integral part of the team in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). New approaches to rehabilitation practice in the NICU have evolved over the past decade that aim to promote child health and development. Aims: The aim of this study was to describe the current roles of the occupational therapist (OT), physical therapist (PT) and speech-language pathologist (SLP) in Canadian NICUs as compared to the roles documented in an earlier national survey conducted 15 years ago. Methods: A telephone survey was conducted across Canadian NICUs and each telephone interview was recorded by a research assistant. In total, 42 questionnaires were completed across 25 health care institutions. Results: Eighty percent of the PT, 93.7% of OT and 50% of SLP provided direct services to neonates in the NICU. The results demonstrated that the therapists were involved with case discussion (85.7%), decision-making (97.6%), referrals to other services (97.6%) and discharge planning (97.6%). Splinting (87.5%) and feeding (100%) were most often carried out by OT, whereas chest physiotherapy (65%) and range of motion (100%) were predominantly provided by PT. Changes in the role of rehabilitation specialists over the last decade predominantly included enhanced collaboration with the NICU team, more frequent use of standardized outcome measures and use of interventions supported by evidence. Conclusion: In comparison with results of the previous survey of rehabilitation practices in Canadian NICUs, rehabilitation specialists now have more dedicated time in the NICU and more frequently use standardized measures and apply interventions that are supported by recent scientific studies.

Objective To investigate the pathogens distribution and their drug resistance of blood culture-positive neonates with sepsis in neonatal intensive care unit(NICU) and to provide evidence for clinically reasonable use of antibiotics.Methods One thousand four hundred and fifty neonates admitted to our NICU of Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College from Jan 2009 to Jul 2011 were enrolled.The blood samples from 1 450 neonates were cultured and isolated,and all of the isolates and their resistances were analyzed retrospectively.Results A total of 9 species and 233 pathogenic strains were isolated from 1 450 specimens,and the positive rate was 16.1％.Among the 233 strains,93 strains were gram-positive cocci,103 strains were gram-negative bacilli,and 37 strains were fungus.Among gram-positive cocci,the most dominant organism was coagulase negative staphylococcus,the next was Staphylococcus aureus;while among gram-negative bacilli,Ktebsiella pneumoniae were the most frequently isolated,the next were Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter baumannii,and among the fungus,monilia were the most isolated.The resistance rates of gram-positive cocci to vancomycin,linezolid and teicoplanin were high.Moreover,the antibiotic resistance rates to penicillin,oxazocilline and the β-lactamase were more than 95％.Gram-negative bacilli were sensitive to levofloxacin,imipenem and meropenem.A majority of fungus was Monilia,which was sensitive to antifungal.Conclusion Coagulase negative staphylococcus,Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli are the the most common pathogens of neonatal sepsis in NICU,and have high drug resistance.Clinicians should select sensitive drug treatment according to bacterial identification and susceptibility testing.Besides,mycotic infection cannot be ignored and merit our attention. Key words: Drug resistance; Pathogens; Infant, newborn

Background Blood cultures are the gold standard in the investigation of neonatal sepsis, which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. However, there are currently no consensus guidelines for blood collection for culture in newborns. In addition, it can be challenging to obtain sufficient blood volume in infants, which can affect the validity of culture results. Objectives To examine current practices in blood collection for culture in the investigation of neonatal sepsis in NICUs across Canada. Design/Methods A 9-item electronic survey (Appendix A) was sent to each of the 29 level 3 NICUs in Canada, which are equipped to provide highly specialized care for newborns. Results Responses were received from 26 (90%) of the 29 level 3 NICUs. Fifty-six percent of NICUs have blood collection guidelines for the investigation of neonatal sepsis. Forty-eight percent of NICUs routinely collect 1.0 mL of blood per culture bottle. By contrast, 32% of NICUs determine adequate blood volume using body weight and 8% using gestational age. In late-onset neonatal sepsis (LONS), 58% of centres process one aerobic culture bottle. Four NICUs (15%) routinely add anaerobic culture bottles. Few centres draw blood for culture from an indwelling catheter when present as a first-line option in LONS. Specifically, one NICU routinely draws blood from a central venous line and four NICUs (17%) routinely draw from a peripheral arterial line. In early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS), 73% of NICUs draw blood for culture from umbilical lines, while 72% use peripheral venepuncture. Two centres routinely collect cord blood from the placenta for culture in EONS. Only one NICU applies the concept of differential time-to-positivity (DTP) in suspected central-line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) to determine whether a colonized catheter is the true source of infection. Conclusion There is significant practice variation in blood collection for culture in level 3 NICUs across Canada. Standardization of blood collection practices will improve antimicrobial stewardship and appropriate resource utilization, as well as provide reliable estimates of the true incidence of neonatal sepsis in Canada.

Background Contaminated blood cultures are a driver of healthcare and antibiotic overuse. The burden of neonatal contaminated blood cultures is unknown. Within a retrospective cohort of neonates born ≥37 weeks gestational age who had a blood culture obtained in the first 3 days after birth with no central line in place, our objectives were to 1) estimate the proportion of blood cultures that grew commensals, and 2) to compare the length of stay and antibiotic use among neonates with a commensal versus negative blood culture.Figure 1Stacked bar graph of positive neonatal blood cultures, stratified by commensal and non-commensal organisms.Figure 2Unadjusted and adjusted differences in median antibiotic days and length of stay among infants with a commensal versus negative blood culture. Confidence intervals calculated using a bootstrap with resamples taken within NICU. Methods The cohort was extracted from infants admitted to a 315 Pediatrix NICUs between 2016-2021. First, we estimated the total proportion of commensals out of all positive blood cultures in the cohort. For the outcomes analysis, we excluded infants who were transferred out of the NICU and who had a non-commensal blood culture in the first 14 days after birth. We then compared infants with a single positive commensal blood culture (cases) and infants with a negative blood culture (controls) to estimate the difference in median length of stay and antibiotic days using 3 approaches: 1) unadjusted comparison 2) matching on NICU, and 3) matching on duration of rupture of membranes, maternal group B streptococcus status, intrapartum antibiotic use and NICU. Confidence intervals for approaches 2 and 3 were derived using a bootstrap (1,000 resamples of infants taken within NICU). Results There were 2,179 positive cultures in the cohort, 1,082 (50%) grew a commensal organism (Figure 1). The proportion of positive blood cultures that were commensals varied across the NICUs (median of 50%, interquartile range: 31% to 73%). In our outcomes analysis, there were 115,095 infants, 767 who had a had a commensal blood culture within the first 3 days after birth. Of these cases, 337 (44%) were treated with ≥5 days of continuous antibiotics. Cases had a median excess of 2 antibiotic and admission days as compared to controls in the matched and unmatched analyses (Figure 2). Conclusion Commensals grew in 50% of positive blood cultures collected for early-onset sepsis in a large NICU cohort. These events were associated with increased antibiotic use and length of stay. Improving infant blood culture collection quality is needed to reduce false-positive tests and antibiotic exposure in this vulnerable population. Disclosures Daniel Benjamin, Jr., MD, PhD, MPH, AbbVie, Inc.: Advisor/Consultant|PPD, Inc.: Advisor/Consultant|Syneos Health: Advisor/Consultant

Background: Blood culture volume is crucial to accurate diagnosis of a bloodstream infection. Underfilling blood culture bottles decreases test sensitivity and has been associated with contaminants. Pediatric blood culture volume recommendations are patient weight-based and difficult to audit. Our objectives were to assess healthcare worker pediatric blood culture volume knowledge and to measure culture volumes during the pre-implementation phase of a blood culture quality improvement program. Methods: Data were collected May 2024-November 2024. Surveys were administered to healthcare personnel who regularly obtained blood cultures. To estimate the collected blood volume, blood culture bottles in the laboratory were weighed, and weights were subtracted from the averaged weight pre-filled bottles. Bottles that were Results: <90% of the recommended weight-based volume were classified as underfilled. Blood culture results were compared between bottle characteristics using chi squared and Wilcoxon rank tests as appropriate. Results were presented to stakeholders to facilitate discussions on blood culture collection. 65 surveys were completed. 59 (90.8%) of respondents reported receiving blood culture training. Of those who received training, 51 (78.5%) reported that they had received weight-based blood culture training. A convenience sample of 1,076 bottles were weighed, representing 38.8% of blood cultures collected. Of those, 816 (75.8%) were underfilled (median percentage of recommended volume -57.8% (interquartile range (IQR) -80.3%, -12.3%)). Only 574 (54.3%) cultures were appropriately inoculated into a pediatric bottle based on patient weight. 83 bottles (7.7%) grew bacteria or fungi, 61 (73.5%) were non-commensals. There was no association between underfilling and positivity (p = 0.47). The median percentage of recommended volume did not differ between positive and negative cultures (-60.6% and -57.3%, respectively; p = 0.92). The median percentage of recommended volume for culture growing non-commensals and commensals was -55.5% and -69.1%, respectively (p = 0.01). Stakeholder groups reported that barriers to appropriate volume included: uncertainty regarding blood culture protocols, technical issues obtaining blood and total blood draw limits. Conclusions: In a large, regional children’s center, the majority of weighed pediatric blood culture bottles were underfilled despite the majority of respondents reporting blood culture volume training. Fill volume was not associated with positivity, which may be due to the large proportion of underfilled bottles in this sample. Non-commensal blood cultures did have a higher median percentage of recommended volume as compared to commensal blood cultures, which is consistent with prior publications. Future quality improvement programs will focus on dissemination of policy and addressing systems and technical barriers.

To study the patterns of causative bacteria and antibiotic resistance in neonatal sepsis. Descriptive study. Department of Neonatology, The Children s Hospital and the Institute of Child Health, Lahore from July 2000 to December 2000. Two hundred and twenty-eight neonates (age 0-28 days) with clinical sepsis and positive blood cultures were selected. Blood cultures were taken before antibiotics (intravenous cefotaxime and amikacin) administration. The clinical and birth records were thoroughly analyzed. Blood culture reports (n=233) were analyzed for bacterial isolates and pattern of resistance to cefotaxime, ceftazidime, amikacin and ciprofloxacin were compared as percentage of reports showing resistance to the above antibiotics. Among 228 cases included in the study, the male to female ratio was 2.1 to 1. The gestational age was less than 36 weeks in 68 (30%) cases and low birth weight babies were 143 (62.6%). History of birth asphyxia was present in 103 (45%) cases. There were 142 (62.3%) cases of early onset (< 7 days) sepsis and 86 (37.7%) cases of late onset (>7 days). Out of 233 positive blood cultures Escherichia coli was found to be commonest (47.8%, n=111, p <0.05) both in early onset (47.8%, n=68, p <0.05) and late onset sepsis (47.3%, n=43, p<0.05). Staphylococcus aureus was the most common among gram positive organism. Resistance to cefotaxime, ceftazidime and amikacin was 34% to 80% and to ciprofloxacin 13% to 72%. A total of 64 cases (28%) died. Mortality was four times higher in early onset sepsis (n=53 vs 11, 47% vs 12%). Gram negative bacteria are the commonest cause of neonatal sepsis. The resistance to the commonly used antibiotics is alarmingly high. Mortality is four times higher in early onset sespis.

Group Name: Working Group on Neonatal Infectious Diseases of the Section of Neonatology of the Dutch Paediatric SocietyBackground: Central-line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are a main focus of infection prevention and control initiatives in neonatal care. Standardized surveillance of neonatal CLABSI enables intra- and interfacility comparisons, which can contribute to quality improvement. To date, there is no national registration system for CLABSI in neonatal care in the Netherlands. Across neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), several different sets of CLABSI criteria and surveillance methods are used for local monitoring of CLABSI incidence rates. To achieve standardized CLABSI surveillance, we conducted a consensus procedure with regard to nationwide neonatal CLABSI surveillance criteria. Method: A modified Delphi consensus procedure for the development of nationwide neonatal CLABSI surveillance criteria was performed between January 2016 and January 2017 in the Netherlands. An expert panel was formed by members of the Working Group on Neonatal Infectious Diseases of the Section of Neonatology of the Dutch Paediatric Society. The consensus procedure consisted of 3 expert panel rounds. Figure 1 shows a detailed description of the consensus procedure. Result: The expert panel achieved consensus on Dutch neonatal CLABSI surveillance criteria, which are summarized in Figure 2. Neonatal CLABSI is defined as a bloodstream infection occurring &gt;72 hours after birth, associated with an indwelling central venous or arterial line and laboratory confirmed by 1 or more blood cultures. In addition, the blood culture finding should not be related to an infection at another site and one of the following criteria can be applied: (1) a bacterial or fungal pathogen is identified from 1 or more blood cultures; (2) the patient has clinical symptoms of sepsis and (2A) a common commensal is identified in 2 separate blood cultures or (2B) a common commensal is identified by 1 blood culture and C-reactive protein (CRP) level is &gt;10 mg/L in the first 36 hours following blood culture collection. Conclusion: The newly developed Dutch neonatal CLABSI surveillance criteria are concise, are specific to the neonatal population, and comply with a single blood-culture policy in actual neonatal clinical practice. International agreement upon neonatal CLABSI surveillance criteria is needed to identify best practices for infection prevention and control.Funding: NoDisclosures: None

Introduction: Neonatal sepsis is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in newborn. There are many factors that contribute to neonatal sepsis. The organisms responsible for early onset and late onset sepsis are different. Objective: This study was conducted to analyze the organisms responsible for early onset and late onset neonatal sepsis. Materials and Methods: A prospective hospital based study over the period of one year was conducted at neonatal intermediate care unit of Kanti Children's Hospital, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal. Results: Organisms were isolated in 6.1% of the collected blood samples. The male female ratio of culture proven sepsis was 1.9:1. Escherichia coli were found to be the most common organism in both early onset and late onset sepsis. Staphylococcus aureus was more common in late onset sepsis than early onset sepsis.Conclusion: Escherichia coli were the most common organism in both early onset and late onset sepsis. Staphylococcal aureus was significantly more common in late onset sepsis than early onset sepsis. Key words: Bacteriological profile; early onset sepsis; late onset sepsis; neonate DOI: 10.3126/jnps.v31i1.4158J Nep Paedtr Soc 2010;31(1):1-5

How to optimize the evaluation and use of antibiotics in neonates

The accuracy of blood culture results is highly dependent on proper technique. This audit sought to determine whether health care personnel are adhering to standard techniques for collection of blood for culture. Fifty episodes of blood culture collection were observed at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka between August and December 2008 using an observational check list to determine accuracy of technique. 44/50 of the cultures were drawn after commencement of antibiotics. 45/50 did not wash their hands prior to collection. Of the five who washed their hands only two used antiseptic soap. 37/50 wore sterile gloves. 16/50 used two antiseptics and 32/50 used one to disinfect the venepuncture site. 2 did not disinfect the entry site. Only 2 swabbed the site in a concentric manner. 11 touched the site after disinfection. Only 39 were able to collect blood with a single puncture. Almost all the participants (49/50) did not disinfect the lid of the culture bottle. Only 21/50 drew adequate blood for blood culture. Only two drew a second blood culture. Syringes used to collect blood should be discarded into a sharp bin without recapping. In our study 40 /50 participants recapped the syringe before disposal. However 45 /50 of the participants correctly disposed the sharps and gloves into the sharp bin and yellow bag respectively. Although written instructions have been given regarding collection of blood for culture a high percentage of health care workers do not adhere to these guidelines. This is an important quality assurance issue that needs to be addressed. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v1i1.3184 Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases Vol.1(1) 2011: 18-23