Bacterial colonisation in a neonatal intensive care unit

Newborn infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are highly vulnerable to colonisation and infection by multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB). Healthcare-associated infections due to MDRB are an emerging threat, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This article analyses the MDRB colonisation rate in a level 3 NICU and its associated risk factors, as well as the subsequent development of infection.

Carolina Oliveira Gonçalves
Pediatric Resident, Child and Youth Department
carolinaoliveiragoncalves@gmail.com

Catarina Garcia
Consultant Neonatologist, NICU

Elzara Aliyeva
Clinical Pathologist

Marta Ferreira
Consultant Neonatologist, NICU

Rosalina Barroso
Consultant Neonatologist, NICU

Hospital Professor Doutor Fernando Fonseca, Amadora, Lisbon, Portugal

Gonçalves CO., Garcia C., Aliyeva E., Ferreira M., Barroso R. Bacterial colonisation in a neonatal intensive care unit. Infant 2023; 19(6): 222-26.

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Keywords

colonisation; infection; multidrug-resistant bacteria; neonatal intensive care unit

Key points

Newborns in the NICU are highly vulnerable to colonisation and infection by multidrug-resistant bacteria.
Implementation of colonisation screening in mothers prior to delivery would permit earlier infection control measures.
Limiting antibiotic therapy and implementing isolation measures and staff cohorting in NICUs remains a key element for infection control.

Also published in Infant:

VOLUME 16/ISSUE 3, MAY 2020

The role of simulation in preparing a response to the COVID-19 pandemic

In response to COVID-19, simulation has been used to embed practical skills such as donning and doffing of personal protective equipment and scenario-based logistics of proposed COVID-19 patient flows. We have developed small staff group training sessions, alongside larger scale multidisciplinary team sessions and used simulation to guide the development of our standard operating procedure. We have also created online training resources to reach a larger number of staff within the neonatal unit (NNU). In this article we share our experiences to help others develop their own ideas on the plethora of ways that simulation can aid a response to the COVID-19 outbreak and any other future advances within the NNU.