Neonatal Infection Prevention - Neonatal infection prevention in a Draeger incubator — Neonatal Infection Prevention
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Minimizing the risk of neonatal infection

Premature babies do not have fully developed immune systems. Nosocomial pathogens are becoming more aggressive and present an exceptional risk to this vulnerable group of patients. We are fully aware of the importance of efficient neonatal infection prevention and considers it during all stages of a device's development. Here is a brief overview of the latest results of this approach.

Neonatal infection Prevention in the NICU

Infection control in neonatology

Babies – especially premature ones – are susceptible to hospital-acquired infections. The situation is further exacerbated by the fact that, with this patient group, the symptoms of septicemia are difficult to distinguish from other complications. Dr. John Sparks of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, explains what effective infection control should take into account.

Newborn infection prevention operating room scene

Infection prevention – A global topic

There are many aspects to consider when combatting nosocomial pathogens, for example, national data collection. Reliable data are at the heart of every successful strategy. But what makes surveillance successful?

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Creating an infection-controlled NICU: Karlstad Central Hospital, Sweden

A neonatal intensive care unit optimizes your infection prevention system

The Swedish Central Hospital in Karlstad reorganized its 27-year-old neonatal intensive care unit. The result: separate family rooms and an access corridor just for parents. This division helps prevent the spread of infectious diseases, and at the same time promotes, developmental care.

Key studies on neonatal infection prevention

Rogowski JA, Staiger D, Patrick T et al. Nurse staffing and NICU infection rates. JAMA Pediatr. 2013 May;167(5):444-50

In many neonatal intensive care units, serious staff shortages are the norm rather than the exception. This study investigates the shortfalls resulting from understaffed NICUs. These shortfalls are associated with an increased risk of nosocomial infections, which can be particularly harmful to premature babies with extremely low birth weight. The authors call for these findings to be taken into account when making staffing decisions.

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Tyson JE, Parikh NA, Langer J et al. Intensive Care for Extreme Prematurity – Moving beyond Gestational Age. N Engl J Med 2008; 358:1672-1681

Decisions regarding whether to administer intensive care to extremely premature infants are often based on gestational age alone. However, according to this study, other factors should also be considered.

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