Health Care–Associated Infection in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: Epidemiology and Control—Keeping Patients Safe

• Handwashing is the most important means of preventing nosocomial infection. Each pediatric intensive care unit should develop programs to increase compliance with hand hygiene. • Nonessential invasive devices should be removed. Establish routines that require individual patient evaluation of device use daily. • Antimicrobial stewardship aims to minimize overexposure and unnecessary use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are an increasing concern as a cause of hospital-acquired infection, requiring a multipronged approach to control that includes adherence to isolation procedures, appropriate use of antibiotics, educational interventions, prescribing guidelines, and restriction of the use of some antibiotics. • A comprehensive infection prevention and control program allied with organizational quality and patient safety programs is an essential strategy for minimizing hospital-acquired infections. Critical care teams should establish strong collaborative partnerships with the infection prevention and control service. • Parents and visitors should be made partners of the infection control team to help prevent infection in their children.