Long-term outcomes of an educational paediatric antimicrobial stewardship programme: a quality improvement study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASPs) have resulted in antimicrobial consumption (AMC) reduction and quality of prescription (QOP) improvement. However, evidence of ASP impact in paediatrics is still limited. This study aims to assess a paediatric ASP long-term outcomes. METHODS: A quality improvement study assessed by a interrupted time series analysis was conducted in a paediatric tertiary hospital. QOP expressed as proportion of adequate prescriptions, AMC measured by defined daily dose incidence per 1000 occupied bed days, incidence density of bloodstream infections (BSIs) and its related all-cause crude death rate (CDR) were compared between pre (from January 2013 to December 2015) and post (from January 2016 to December 2019) ASP activities intensification, which included a dedicated paediatric infectious diseases physician to actively perform educational interviews with prescribers. RESULTS: Inappropriate prescribing showed a significant downward shift associated to the intervention with a -51.4% (-61.2% to -41.8%) reduction with respect to the expected values. Overall AMC showed no trend change after the intervention. For neonatology a28.8% (-36.8% to -20.9%) reduction was observed. Overall anti-pseudomonal cephalosporin use showed a -51.2% (-57.0% to -45.4%) reduction. Decreasing trends were observed for carbapenem use, with a quarterly per cent change (QPC) of -2.4% (-4.3% to -0.4%) and BSI-related CDR (QPC=-3.6%; -5.4% to -1.7%) through the study period. Healthcare-associated multi-drug-resistant BSI remained stable (QPC=2.1; -0.6 to 4.9). CONCLUSIONS: Intensification of counselling educational activities within an ASP suggests to improve QOP and to partially reduce AMC in paediatric patients. The decreasing trends in mortality remained unchanged.

Rate of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in pediatric emergency departments in Spain.

INTRODUCTION: Staphylococcus aureus is a common germ in bacterial infections in children. The rate of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is increasing lately. OBJECTIVES: The main aim is to know the rate of positive cultures to MRSA in Spanish pediatric emergency departments. The secondary aims are to analyse the risk factors for MRSA isolation (patient origin, history of hospitalization or surgery in the previous 90 days, antibiotherapy in the previous 60 days, presence of comorbidity, invasive devices, prior MRSA isolation) and to analyse the morbidity of these infections. METHODOLOGY: Retrospective multicenter study (07/01/2017-06/30/2018) with review of patient histories with isolation of S. aureus in samples of any origin obtained in 8 pediatric emergency departments of the Infectious Diseases Working Group of the Spanish Society of pediatric Emergencies. RESULTS: During this period, S. aureus was detected in 403 patients (average age 75.8 ± 59.2 months; 54.8% male): 28.8% hospital-related infections (HRI) and 71.2% community-related infections (CRI). Overall, MRSA rate was 16.6% (95% CI: 13-20.2%); 18.1% in HRI and 16.2% in CRI (p > 0.05). The highest rates of MRSA were obtained in skin abscesses (29.3%, CI 95%: 21.8-36.8%), patients not born in Spain (52%; CI 95%: 32-72%) or patients with a previous MRSA infection (90%; CI 95% 71.4-100%). 167 (41%) patients were admitted, 12 (3%) had complications and 4 (1%) suffered sequels. There were no deaths. CONCLUSIONS: The overall MRSA rate was one in 6 staphylococcal infections. Higher MRSA rates were detected in samples of suppurating skin injuries and in foreign children or in children with a history of previous MRSA infection. In suppurative skin lesions, early drainage is essential and the change to an antibiotic with MRSA coverage should be considered if the evolution is inadequate.

Recommendation document on rapid intravenous rehydration in acute gastroenteritis.

INTRODUCTION: The efficacy and safety of the Rapid Intravenous Rehydration (RIR) guidelines in children affected by dehydration secondary to acute gastroenteritis is supported by current scientific evidence, but there is also great variability in its use in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: To prepare a document with evidence-based recommendations about RIR in paediatric population. METHODS: The project was developed based on GRADE methodology, according to the following work schedule: Working Group training; creation of a catalogue of questions about research and definition of "relevant outcomes"; score and selection criteria for each item; bibliographic review; scientific evidence evaluation and synthesis (GRADE); review, discussion and creation of recommendations. 10 clinical questions and 15 relevant outcomes were created (7 about efficacy and 8 about security). RESULTS: 16 recommendations were set up, from which we can highlight as the main ones: 1) RIR is safe for children affected by mild-moderate dehydration secondary to acute gastroenteritis, unless expressly contraindicated or acute severe comorbidity (strong recommendation, moderate evidence). 2) Its use is recommended in this situation when oral rehydration has failed or due to contraindication (strong, high). 3) Isotonic fluids are recommended (strong, high), suggesting saline fluid as the first option (light, low), supplemented by glucose (2.5%) in those patients showing normoglycemia and ketosis (strong, moderate). 4) A rhythm of 20cc/kg/h is recommended (strong, high) during 1-4 h (strong, moderate). CONCLUSIONS: This document establishes consensus recommendations, based on the available scientific evidence, which could contribute to the standardisation of the use of RIR in our setting.

[Rate of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in pediatric emergency departments in Spain]. / Tasa de Staphylococcus aureus resistentes a meticilina en urgencias pediátricas en España.

INTRODUCTION: Staphylococcusaureus (S. aureus) is a common germ present in bacterial infections in children. Lately, the rate of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is increasing. OBJECTIVES: The main aim of this study is to know the rate of positive cultures to MRSA in Spanish pediatric emergency departments. The secondary aims are to analyze the risk factors for MRSA isolation (patient origin, history of hospitalization or surgery in the previous 90 days, antibiotherapy in the previous 60 days, presence of comorbidity, invasive devices, prior MRSA isolation) and to analyze the morbidity of these infections. METHODOLOGY: Retrospective multicenter study (07/01/2017-06/30/2018) with review of patient histories with isolation of S. aureus in samples of any origin obtained in 8 pediatric emergency departments of the Infectious Diseases Working Group of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Emergencies. RESULTS: During this period, S. aureus was detected in 403 patients (average age 75.8±59.2 months; 54.8% male): 28.8% hospital-related infections and 71.2% community-related infections. Overall, MRSA rate was 16.6% (95% CI: 13-20.2%); 18.1% in hospital-related infections and 16.2% in community-related infections (P>.05). The highest rates of MRSA were obtained in skin abscesses (29.3%, 95% CI: 21.8-36.8%), patients not born in Spain (52%; 95% CI: 32-72%) or patients with a previous MRSA infection (90%; 95% CI: 71.4-100%). 167 (41%) patients were admitted, 12 (3%) had complications and 4 (1%) suffered sequels. There were no deaths. CONCLUSIONS: The overall MRSA rate was one in six staphylococcal infections. Higher MRSA rates were detected in samples of suppurating skin injuries and in foreign children or in children with a history of previous MRSA infection. In suppurative skin lesions, early drainage is essential and the change to an antibiotic with MRSA coverage should be considered if the evolution is inadequate.

[Recommendation document on rapid intravenous rehydration in acute gastroenteritis]. / Documento de recomendaciones sobre la rehidratación intravenosa rápida en gastroenteritis aguda.

INTRODUCTION: The efficacy and safety of the rapid intravenous rehydration (RIR) guidelines in children affected by dehydration secondary to acute gastroenteritis is supported by current scientific evidence, but there is also great variability in its use in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: To prepare a document with evidence-based recommendations about RIR in paediatric population. METHODS: The project was developed based on GRADE methodology, according to the following work schedule: Working Group training; creation of a catalogue of questions about research and definition of «relevant outcomes¼; score and selection criteria for each item; bibliographic review; scientific evidence evaluation and synthesis (GRADE); review, discussion and creation of recommendations. 10 clinical questions and 15 relevant outcomes were created (7 about efficacy and 8 about security). RESULTS: Sixteen recommendations were set up, from which we can highlight as the main ones: (1) RIR is safe for children affected by mild-moderate dehydration secondary to acute gastroenteritis, unless expressly contraindicated or acute severe comorbidity (strong recommendation and moderate evidence). (2) Its use is recommended in this situation when oral rehydration has failed or due to contraindication (strong and high). (3) Isotonic fluids are recommended (strong and high), suggesting saline fluid as the first option (light and low), supplemented by glucose (2.5%) in those patients showing normoglycemia and ketosis (strong and moderate). (4) A rhythm of 20 cc/kg/h is recommended (strong and high) during 1-4 h (strong and moderate). CONCLUSIONS: This document establishes consensus recommendations, based on the available scientific evidence, which could contribute to the standardisation of the use of RIR in our setting.

Prospective Multicentre Study on the Epidemiology and Current Therapeutic Management of Severe Bronchiolitis in Spain.

Objective. To determine the epidemiology and therapeutic management of patients with severe acute bronchiolitis (AB) admitted to paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in Spain. Design. Descriptive, prospective, multicentre study. Setting. Sixteen Spanish PICUs. Patients. Patients with severe AB who required admission to any of the participating PICUs over 1 year. Interventions. Both epidemiological variables and medical treatment received were recorded. Results. A total of 262 patients were recruited; 143 were male (54.6%), with median age of 1 month (0-23). Median stay in the PICU was 7 days (1-46). Sixty patients (23%) received no nebuliser treatment, while the rest received a combination of inhalation therapies. One-quarter of patients (24.8%) received corticosteroids and 56.5% antibiotic therapy. High-flow oxygen therapy was used in 14.3% and noninvasive ventilation (NIV) was used in 75.6%. Endotracheal intubation was required in 24.4% of patients. Younger age, antibiotic therapy, and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) were risk factors that significantly increased the stay in the PICU. Conclusions. Spanish PICUs continue to routinely use nebulised bronchodilator treatment and corticosteroid therapy. Despite NIV being widely used in this condition, intubation was required in one-quarter of cases. Younger age, antibiotic therapy, and IMV were associated with a longer stay in the PICU.

[Etiology, clinical presentation and outcome of severe viral acute childhood encephalitis (ECOVE study)]. / Etiologia, presentacion clinica y evolucion neurologica de las encefalitis viricas graves en la edad pediatrica (estudio ECOVE).

INTRODUCTION: Viral encephalitis are rare and potentially serious conditions with different etiologist, and not always identifiable. Our aim is to describe the etiological, clinical presentation and neurological outcome of viral encephalitis admitted in Paediatrics Intensive Care Units (PICUs) in Spain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Observational prospective multicenter study. Children with viral encephalitis admitted to 14 PICUs, for a period of 3 years (2010-2013) were included. Polymerase chain reaction for the etiological diagnosis and neurotropic virus serology in blood and cerebrospinal fluid were used. Personal history, clinical presentation, evolution and neurological status at discharge were recorded. RESULTS: 80 patients were included with a mean age of 5 years, 70% male. The most relevant clinical symptoms were decreased consciousness (86%), fever (82.4%), seizures (67%), vomiting (42%), headache (27%), agitation (25%) and dis-orientation (23%). The etiologic diagnosis was established in 35%, being more frequent herpes simplex virus and enterovirus. The outcome was discharge without sequelae in 55 patients (69%), mild to moderate sequelae in 19 (23.5%) and severe in 6 (7.5%). Two patients died. CONCLUSIONS: In the Spanish PICU etiological diagnosis was established only in a third of cases of children with suspected acute viral encephalitis. Despite the clinical severity we observed a low mortality and morbidity rate. At discharge from the PICU, most children had no neurological sequelae or were mild.

TITLE: Etiologia, presentacion clinica y evolucion neurologica de las encefalitis viricas graves en la edad pediatrica (estudio ECOVE).Introduccion. Las encefalitis viricas son procesos raros y potencialmente graves, con etiologia diversa y no siempre identificable. El objetivo es describir las caracteristicas etiologicas, la presentacion clinica y la evolucion neurologica de las encefalitis viricas que ingresaron en las unidades de cuidados intensivos pediatricos (UCIP) en España. Pacientes y metodos. Estudio prospectivo multicentrico observacional. Se incluyeron los niños ingresados en 14 UCIP con diagnostico de encefalitis virica durante un periodo de tres años (2010-2013). Para el diagnostico etiologico se utilizo reaccion en cadena de la polimerasa y serologia a virus neurotropos en la sangre y el liquido cefalorraquideo. Se registraron los antecedentes personales, la presentacion clinica, la evolucion y la situacion neurologica en el momento del alta. Resultados. Se incluyeron 80 pacientes con edad media de 5 años; el 70%, varones. Los sintomas clinicos mas relevantes fueron disminucion de conciencia (86%), fiebre (82,4%), convulsiones (67%), vomitos (42%), cefalea (27%), agitacion (25%) y desorientacion (23%). Se llego al diagnostico etiologico en un 35%, y los mas frecuentes fueron virus herpes simple y enterovirus. La evolucion fue curacion sin secuelas en 55 pacientes (69%, sobre todo enterovirus, rotavirus y virus respiratorios), secuelas leves-moderadas en 19 (23,5%) y graves en seis (7,5%). Dos pacientes fallecieron. Conclusiones. En las UCIP españolas solo se realizo el diagnostico etiologico en un tercio de los niños con sospecha de encefalitis virica grave. A pesar de la gravedad clinica, hemos observado una tasa de mortalidad y morbilidad baja. La amplia mayoria son dados de alta de la UCIP con ninguna o escasa secuela neurologica.

[Risk factors associated with arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries]. / Factores de riesgo de la corrección anatómica para la transposición de grandes arterias.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The present study was undertaken to determine the risk factors for early mortality following an arterial switch operation. PATIENTS AND METHOD: From January 1994 through October 2003, 78 pediatric patients underwent surgical repair. Simple transposition was present in 48 patients (61.5%), 29 (37.2%) had an associated ventricular septal defect, and one had a Taussig-Bing anomaly. The risk factors analyzed were: the patient's age and weight at the time of the intervention, repair of a coexisting ventricular septal defect, coronary artery anatomical pattern, duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, duration of aortic cross-clamping, and duration of circulatory arrest. All factors were evaluated for strength of association with the duration of mechanical ventilation, the length of intensive care unit stay, and mortality. RESULTS: Overall, the early mortality rate was 9% (7/78). Some 14 patients (17.9%) underwent simultaneous repair of a ventricular septal defect. Patients with an intramural coronary artery (n=3, 3.8%) or a single coronary ostium (n=5, 6.4%) were the only ones who had a significant (P<.05) mortality risk, at 50% (4/8). Circulatory arrest was implemented in 53 (68%) patients. There were significant correlations between the duration of circulatory arrest and the ventilator support time (r=0.3, P<.05) and the duration of stay in the intensive care unit (r=0.3, P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of early death was increased when more complex coronary artery anatomical variants were present. As the period of circulatory arrest lengthened, the mechanical ventilation time and duration of intensive care unit stay increased.