Establishing a baseline for a national paediatric antimicrobial stewardship programme.

BACKGROUND: The majority of antimicrobial stewardship programmes focus on prescribing in adult populations; however, there is a recognized need for targeted paediatric antimicrobial stewardship to improve the quality and safety of prescribing amongst this patient group. OBJECTIVES: To describe the current epidemiology of antimicrobial prescribing in paediatric inpatient populations in Scotland to establish a baseline of evidence and identify priority areas for quality improvement to support a national paediatric antimicrobial stewardship programme. METHODS: A total of 559 paediatric inpatients were surveyed during the Scottish national point prevalence survey of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial prescribing, 2016. The prevalence of antimicrobial prescribing was calculated and characteristics of antimicrobial prescribing were described as proportions and compared between specialist hospitals and paediatric wards in acute hospitals. RESULTS: Prevalence of antimicrobial use in paediatric inpatients was 35.4% (95% CI = 31.6%-39.4%). Treatment of community- and hospital-acquired infections accounted for 47.1% and 20.7% of antimicrobial use, respectively, with clinical sepsis being the most common diagnosis and gentamicin the most frequently prescribed antimicrobial for the treatment of infection. The reason for prescribing was documented in the notes for 86.5% of all prescriptions and, of those assessed for compliance against local policy, 92.9% were considered compliant. CONCLUSIONS: Data from national prevalence surveys are advantageous when developing antimicrobial stewardship programmes. Results have highlighted differences in the prescribing landscape between paediatric inpatient populations in specialist hospitals and acute hospitals, and have informed priorities for the national antimicrobial stewardship programme, which reinforces the need for a targeted paediatric antimicrobial stewardship programme.

A pilot validation in 10 European Union Member States of a point prevalence survey of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial use in acute hospitals in Europe, 2011.

We present a pilot validation study performed on 10 European Union (EU) Member States, of a point prevalence survey (PPS) of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial use in Europe in 2011 involving 29 EU/European Economic Area (EEA) countries and Croatia. A total of 20 acute hospitals and 1,950 patient records were included in the pilot study, which consisted of validation and inter-rater reliability (IRR) testing using an in-hospital observation approach. In the validation, a sensitivity of 83% (95% confidence interval (CI): 79­87%) and a specificity of 98% (95% CI: 98­99%) were found for HAIs. The level of agreement between the primary PPS and validation results were very good for HAIs overall (Cohen's κappa (κ):0.81) and across all the types of HAIs (range: 0.83 for bloodstream infections to 1.00 for lower respiratory tract infections). Antimicrobial use had a sensitivity of 94% (95% CI: 93­95%) and specificity of 97% (95% CI: 96­98%) with a very good level of agreement (κ:0.91). Agreement on other demographic items ranged from moderate to very good (κ: 0.57­0.95): age (κ:0.95), sex (κ: 0.93), specialty of physician (κ: 0.87) and McCabe score (κ: 0.57). IRR showed a very good level of agreement (κ: 0.92) for both the presence of HAIs and antimicrobial use. This pilot study suggested valid and reliable reporting of HAIs and antimicrobial use in the PPS dataset. The lower level of sensitivity with respect to reporting of HAIs reinforces the importance of training data collectors and including validation studies as part of a PPS in order for the burden of HAIs to be better estimated.

The reliability of the McCabe score as a marker of co-morbidity in healthcare-associated infection point prevalence studies.

This study aimed to ascertain the reliability of the McCabe score in a healthcare-associated infection point prevalence survey. A 10 European Union Member States survey in 20 hospitals (n = 1912) indicated that there was a moderate level of agreement (κ = 0.57) with the score. The reliability of the application of the score could be increased by training data collectors, particularly with reference to the ultimately fatal criteria. This is important if the score is to be used to risk adjust data to drive infection prevention and control interventions.

Integrating intensive care unit (ICU) surveillance into an ICU clinical care electronic system.

The intensive care unit (ICU) is the specialty with the highest prevalence of healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) in European hospitals and therefore a priority for surveillance of HCAI. Whereas surveillance is an essential part of an effective infection prevention and control (IPC) programme, all too often it consumes too much clinician and IPC team time, limiting the time available for quality improvement. The case for electronic surveillance is made in the literature from several countries on this basis. These studies indicate that electronic surveillance can improve validity, reduce time spent on surveillance, and provide opportunities for improvement in clinical decision-making and IPC action arising from surveillance. The Scottish ICU HAI surveillance system was established as part of an integrated audit and clinical care system. Investment in this technology infrastructure reduced the burden of data collection and has resulted in a focus on driving improvement in all Scottish ICUs. The experience in Scotland indicates that several critical components are necessary to optimize ICU HCAI surveillance, including: nationally agreed definitions and methods; national investment in information technology infrastructure to make it easier to follow clinical care pathways; leadership of surveillance by intensivists; piloting and validation to ensure confidence in the system; and strategic integration of national and local programmes. These elements have helped improve surveillance data locally, nationally, and at a European level, allowing clinical attention to be focused on the data rather than on the process of data collection.

Determining the effect of social deprivation on the prevalence of healthcare-associated infections in acute hospitals: a multivariate analysis of a linked data set.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) endanger safety by increasing morbidity, mortality, and hospital stay. Studies identifying risk factors for HCAI rarely address the wider determinants of health. However, a well-characterized association exists between increasing social deprivation and poor health outcomes. Therefore it is important to determine whether HCAIs are associated with social deprivation. AIM: To determine the association between social deprivation and the prevalence of HCAI, in all inpatients in an acute hospital in Scotland on a single day across September and October 2011. METHODS: This study linked Scottish data from the 2011 European Point Prevalence Survey of HCAI and Antimicrobial Prescribing to the Scottish Morbidity Record 01, a national dataset with Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) included. Multivariate logistic regression was used to model HCAI prevalence against SIMD quintile. FINDINGS: No overall association was found between SIMD quintile and prevalence of HCAI in all inpatients. A significant difference was found between HCAI prevalence across SIMD quintile in patients undergoing surgical procedures, with higher prevalence observed with increasing deprivation (P = 0.0071). Variables associated with HCAI prevalence were: intensive care specialty, psychiatric and medical specialties, minimum invasive surgery, and all categories of length of stay. CONCLUSION: This study found a significant difference in HCAI prevalence across SIMD quintile in patients undergoing surgery. To our knowledge this was the first study to examine the overall association between HCAI and SIMD. The findings highlight the broad and comprehensive nature of social deprivation in determining health outcomes.

Affective facial expression in infants with focal brain damage.

Children are fluent affective communicators by their first birthday. The development of affective facial expression in infants with focal brain damage thus provides a promising context in which to investigate the developing neural substrates of emotions. We examined both positive and negative affective expression in 12 infants (6-24 months) with pre- or perinatal unilateral focal brain damage (6RHD and 6LHD) and their age- and gender-matched controls. Infants were videotaped in free and semi-structured tasks. Interactions were microanalytically coded, including the use of FACS. Both normal and babies with posterior LHD exhibited the full range of appropriate affective expressions. In contrast, infants with posterior RHD showed marked affective impairment to positive, but not to negative simulation.

Isolated uvulitis due to Haemophilus influenzae type b.

Infections of the uvula are infrequently recognized and have been previously described only in association with group A streptococcal pharyngitis or Haemophilus influenzae type b epiglottitis. Three cases of H influenzae type b bacteremic uvulitis are described. In suspected cases of H influenzae type b uvulitis, a lateral neck radiograph should be performed and parenteral antibiotics initiated.

The importance of definitions and methods in surgical wound infection audit.

We investigated the value of a full-time audit nurse personally following up every patient from admission to 30 days postoperatively in order to obtain accurate surgical wound infection rates. Our results show that this type of audit is an effective, although time-consuming, way of collecting accurate data on wound infection rates. It enabled the early identification of problem areas in practice and facilitated the adoption of evidence based practice. As a result of the audit there was a significant reduction in the clean wound infection rate from 13.9% in November 1995 to 7.9% in March 1998 (P= 0.05).

Congenital perilymphatic fistula: a prospective study in infants and children.

A 3-year prospective study of 244 children (aged 5 months to 17 years) with sensorineural hearing loss of unknown cause revealed that 57 children (23%) had radiographic evidence of abnormalities of the temporal bone, detected by computed tomography scan, and/or progression of sensorineural hearing loss. Of these 57 children, 42 (74%) underwent surgical exploration, with 15 children (26%) of this subgroup demonstrating active congenital perilymphatic fistula. The prevalence of congenital perilymphatic fistula in a large, closely monitored population of children with unexplained sensorineural hearing loss appears to be at least 6% (15 of 244 children). The incidence may be higher because some congenital perilymphatic fistulae may leak intermittently and not be observed during middle ear surgery. Therefore, in children with suspected sensorineural hearing loss, early and frequent audiological evaluations should be made to rule out progressive/fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss. These children should also have radiographic imaging of their temporal bone by computed tomography scan. The use of both methods is the best indicator for congenital perilymphatic fistula.

Angiolipoma of the parotid: case report and review.

An angiolipoma is a benign adipose tissue tumor that can occur as either a circumscribed or an infiltrating lesion and represents up to 17% of all lipomas. Most angiolipomas occur in teenagers and young adults, and are rarely described in younger children. Angiolipoma generally arises on the extremities or trunk, and it is unusual when found in the head and neck. An angiolipoma of the parotid region was suspected in an infant girl after contrast-enhanced computerized tomographic scan, and was confirmed when the mass was surgically excised. The clinical characteristics, radiological appearance, and histopathology of angiolipoma are discussed.

Medical management of chronic suppurative otitis media without cholesteatoma in children.

Tympanomastoid surgery is considered standard management for chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) without cholesteatoma, which is unresponsive to ototopical/oral antimicrobial therapy. The following makes this sequence of management less attractive today: 1. potential ototoxicity of ototopical agents; 2. lack of oral antimicrobial agents effective against most common pathogens (e.g., Pseudomonas aeruginosa); 3. frequent occurrence in children who have tympanostomy tubes; and 4. failure of tympanomastoid surgery to eradicate the disease in all cases. We conducted a study in 36 pediatric patients with chronic suppurative otitis media, in which all received parenteral antimicrobial therapy and daily aural toilet (mean duration of treatment = 9.7 days). Thirty-two patients (89%) had resolution of their infection with medical therapy alone; four children required tympanomastoidectomy. Further investigation is needed to understand the etiology, pathogenesis, and most effective methods of management/prevention of CSOM in children.

Nasal surgery in children with cystic fibrosis: complications and risk management.

Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) are predisposed to pansinusitis and nasal polyposis and, therefore, require frequent surgery by otolaryngologists. These children are at risk to have complications following surgery, both locally, at the surgical site, as well as systemically from their underlying pulmonary disease. A 20-year retrospective study of children (average census 219 per year) revealed 39 children developed nasal polyps and these children required 85 nasal polypectomies. No major complications occurred and only three minor complications (fever, minor bleeding) were noted. Over 95% of our CF children were able to return home in less than 48 hours, and extensive hospital stays appeared not to be required.

Effectiveness of adenoidectomy and laser tympanic membrane fenestration.

OBJECTIVE: Adenoidectomy alone or with tonsillectomy (A+/-T) is an effective surgical intervention in the management of otitis media in children, especially when it is performed in conjunction with insertion of pressure equalization tubes (PETs). Otorrhea and persistent tympanic membrane (TM) perforation are frequent complications. This study evaluates the effectiveness of intermediate duration middle ear ventilation using laser tympanic membrane fenestration (LTMF) without tube insertion and as an adjunct to adenoidectomy in resolving middle ear disease within the first 90 days after surgery. STUDY DESIGN: This pilot study was a multicenter, prospective clinical cohort trial. Institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained. The study involved four tertiary care pediatric otolaryngology departments. Fifty children (96 ears) were treated with LTMF in conjunction with A+/-T from June 1, 1998, through March 30, 1999. Ages ranged from 9 months to 12 years. Patients undergoing A+/-T who would have been recommended for PET insertion instead underwent middle ear ventilation with LTMF using the Oto-LAM device (ESC/Sharplan, Yokneam, Israel). Patients were seen at 30, 60, and 90 days postoperatively. Resolution of otitis media with effusion was determined by clinical examination, which included pneumatic otoscopy, audiometry, and tympanometry. RESULTS: Of the treated ears, 88%, 86%, and 83% had clinical resolution of middle ear disease at 30, 60, and 90 days, respectively. Preoperatively, 45% (n = 85) of ears had normal hearing; 92% (n = 49) had normal hearing at 90 days. Eighty-nine percent (n = 92) had type C2 or B tympanograms preoperatively, and 12% (n = 60) had type C2 or B at 90 days. CONCLUSION: Laser tympanic membrane fenestration in conjunction with adenoidectomy was effective in restoring normal middle ear function at 90 days post-treatment in greater than 80% of children who otherwise may have had placement of PETs.

Sensorineural hearing loss.

The authors emphasize the importance of early identification and early intervention concerning the management of children with Sensorineural Hearing Loss. The pediatrician plays a critical role in initiating the necessary clinical and audiological evaluations. Guidelines and treatment options are reviewed.

Prevention and management of aerodigestive foreign body injuries in childhood.

Pediatricians have a critical role in the evaluation of children who experience a choking episode and foreign body injury. Familiarity with important symptoms and signs improves diagnostic skills and complements radiographic evaluation. Further reduction in injury prevention is assisted by parental education and avoidance of objects and foods that produce the greatest risk. Design modifications of toys and other products for children's use is the next important step in this safety process.

Narrative discourse in children with early focal brain injury.

Children with early brain damage, unlike adult stroke victims, often go on to develop nearly normal language. However, the route and extent of their linguistic development are still unclear, as is the relationship between lesion site and patterns of delay and recovery. Here we address these questions by examining narratives from children with early brain damage. Thirty children (ages 3:7-10:10) with pre- or perinatal unilateral focal brain damage and their matched controls participated in a storytelling task. Analyses focused on linguistic proficiency and narrative competence. Overall, children with brain damage scored significantly lower than their age-matched controls on both linguistic (morphological and syntactic) indices and those targeting broader narrative qualities. Rather than indicating that children with brain damage fully catch up, these data suggest that deficits in linguistic abilities reassert themselves as children face new linguistic challenges. Interestingly, after age 5, site of lesion does not appear to be a significant factor and the delays we have witnessed do not map onto the lesion profiles observed in adults with analogous brain injuries.

The sinusitis cycle.

Recent discoveries make it necessary to reevaluate many of the traditional assumptions concerning sinusitis. Within the past 10 years, investigators have detailed the pathophysiology of sinusitis. Occlusion of the sinus ostia initiates the sinusitis cycle; untreated, this leads to chronic sinusitis. Anatomic abnormalities also predispose the patient to chronic sinusitis because of ostial blockage. Investigators have identified and detailed the prevalence of both aerobic and anaerobic environments within the sinuses, demonstrating that ostial blockage creates an ideal culture medium within the sinus. Keeping the ostial passageways open is essential to allow reversal of the sinusitis cycle, especially in the presence of predisposing factors.

Duration of intubation in children with acute epiglottitis.

Nasotracheal intubation has been demonstrated to be effective in supporting the airways of children with acute epiglottitis. Length of intubation and criteria used for extubation are still controversial. A 6-year retrospective review at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh identified 100 cases of acute epiglottitis, which were initially managed with nasotracheal intubation. Extubation was based on direct laryngeal inspection performed in the operating room (1979-1981) and, more recently, in the intensive care unit (1982-1984). Length of intubation decreased from 63.8 hours in 1979 to 42.1 hours in 1984. The percent of children intubated longer than 48 hours decreased from 69% to 22% in the same time period. These data indicate that a shorter period of intubation is aided by daily laryngeal inspection in the ICU. We propose a staging system for acute epiglottitis to aid in the decision to safely extubate these children.

Airway obstruction in aortic arch anomalies.

Tracheoesophageal compression by aortic arch anomalies is rare. Nevertheless, one must keep this entity in mind because it is associated with significant morbidity. Although it is generally agreed that the barium swallow shows when an abnormal vessel is compressing the esophagus, the literature disagrees on whether a bronchoscopy is needed in the evaluation of these patients. Not uncommonly the symptoms of airway obstruction persist after surgery resolves the anatomic defect. To provide a basis for postoperative comparison, we propose that all patients with suspected aortic arch anomalies undergo endoscopy just before their operation. A series of 26 cases of aortic arch anomalies affecting the airway, seen over a period of 29 years, is presented. A discussion of the clinical presentation, the diagnostic and bronchoscopic findings, and the results of surgical treatment are presented in addition to a brief embryologic and anatomic discussion. A case illustrating the value of preoperative and postoperative bronchoscopy is presented.

Hairy polyp of the oropharynx: case report and literature review.

Hairy polyp of the oronasopharynx is an uncommon developmental malformation that is most frequently seen as a pedunculated tumor in the neonate. Derived from the ectoderm and mesoderm, this benign tumor generally has been classified as dermoid. The clinical presentation is dependent on the polyp's size and location. A full-term girl was evaluated for an oral mass that was first noted at the time of birth. Evaluation showed a 5- x 2.5-cm soft, nontender, skin-covered mass that protruded from the oral cavity. During surgery, it was noted that the stalk was attached to the superior pole of the left tonsil. The histology of the mass was consistent with a hairy polyp. Knowledge of this type of malformation facilitates early intervention and avoids significant morbidity.