Pediatric surgical site infection (SSI) following ambulatory surgery: Incidence, risk factors and patient outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Inpatient surgical site infections (SSIs) cause morbidity in children. The SSI rate among pediatric ambulatory surgery patients is less clear. To fill this gap, we conducted a multiple-institution, retrospective epidemiologic study to identify incidence, risk factors, and outcomes. METHODS: We identified patients aged <22 years with ambulatory visits between October 2010 and September 2015 via electronic queries at 3 medical centers. We performed sample chart reviews to confirm ambulatory surgery and adjudicate SSIs. Weighted Poisson incidence rates were calculated. Separately, we used case-control methodology using multivariate backward logistical regression to assess risk-factor association with SSI. RESULTS: In total, 65,056 patients were identified by queries, and we performed complete chart reviews for 13,795 patients; we identified 45 SSIs following ambulatory surgery. The weighted SSI incidence following pediatric ambulatory surgery was 2.00 SSI per 1,000 ambulatory surgeries (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37-3.00). Integumentary surgeries had the highest weighted SSI incidence, 3.24 per 1,000 ambulatory surgeries (95% CI, 0.32-12). The following variables carried significantly increased odds of infection: clean contaminated or contaminated wound class compared to clean (odds ratio [OR], 9.8; 95% CI, 2.0-48), other insurance type compared to private (OR, 4.0; 95% CI, 1.6-9.8), and surgery on weekend day compared to weekday (OR, 30; 95% CI, 2.9-315). Of the 45 instances of SSI following pediatric ambulatory surgery, 40% of patients were admitted to the hospital and 36% required a new operative procedure or bedside incision and drainage. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that morbidity is associated with SSI following ambulatory surgery in children, and we also identified possible targets for intervention.

Central Venous Catheter Salvage in Ambulatory Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines for treatment of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) recommend removing central venous catheters (CVCs) in many cases. Clinicians must balance these recommendations with the difficulty of obtaining alternate access and subjecting patients to additional procedures. In this study, we evaluated CVC salvage in pediatric patients with ambulatory CLABSI and associated risk factors for treatment failure. METHODS: This study was a secondary analysis of 466 ambulatory CLABSIs in patients <22 years old who presented to 5 pediatric medical centers from 2010 to 2015. We defined attempted CVC salvage as a CVC left in place ≥3 days after a positive blood culture result. Salvage failure was removal of the CVC ≥3 days after CLABSI. Successful salvage was treatment of CLABSI without removal of the CVC. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to test associations between risk factors and attempted and successful salvage. RESULTS: A total of 460 ambulatory CLABSIs were included in our analysis. CVC salvage was attempted in 379 (82.3%) cases. Underlying diagnosis, CVC type, number of lumens, and absence of candidemia were associated with attempted salvage. Salvage was successful in 287 (75.7%) attempted cases. Underlying diagnosis, CVC type, number of lumens, and absence of candidemia were associated with successful salvage. In patients with malignancy, neutropenia within 30 days before CLABSI was significantly associated with both attempted salvage and successful salvage. CONCLUSIONS: CVC salvage was often attempted and was frequently successful in ambulatory pediatric patients presenting with CLABSI.

Costs of ambulatory pediatric healthcare-associated infections: Central-line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSIs), catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTIs), and surgical site infections (SSIs).

OBJECTIVE: Ambulatory healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occur frequently in children and are associated with morbidity. Less is known about ambulatory HAI costs. This study estimated additional costs associated with pediatric ambulatory central-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), and surgical site infections (SSIs) following ambulatory surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. SETTING: Four academic medical centers. PATIENTS: Children aged 0-22 years seen between 2010 and 2015 and at risk for HAI as identified by electronic queries. METHODS: Chart review adjudicated HAIs. Charges were obtained for patients with HAIs and matched controls 30 days before HAI, on the day of, and 30 days after HAI. Charges were converted to costs and 2015 USD. Mixed-effects linear regression was used to estimate the difference-in-differences of HAI case versus control costs in 2 models: unrecorded charge values considered missing and a sensitivity analysis with unrecorded charge considered $0. RESULTS: Our search identified 177 patients with ambulatory CLABSIs, 53 with ambulatory CAUTIs, and 26 with SSIs following ambulatory surgery who were matched with 382, 110, and 75 controls, respectively. Additional cost associated with an ambulatory CLABSI was $5,684 (95% confidence interval [CI], $1,005-$10,362) and $6,502 (95% CI, $2,261-$10,744) in the 2 models; cost associated with a CAUTI was $6,660 (95% CI, $1,055, $12,145) and $2,661 (95% CI, -$431 to $5,753); cost associated with an SSI following ambulatory surgery at 1 institution only was $6,370 (95% CI, $4,022-$8,719). CONCLUSIONS: Ambulatory HAI in pediatric patients are associated with significant additional costs. Further work is needed to reduce ambulatory HAIs.