Central- and peripheral-line-associated bloodstream infections in Victorian neonatal intensive care units: findings from a comprehensive Victorian surveillance network, 2008-2024
- Author(s)
- Liu, ZR; Bull, AL; Phuong, LK; Malloy, MJ; Friedman, ND; Worth, LJ;
- Journal Title
- Journal of Hospital Infection
- Publication Type
- Research article
- Abstract
- BACKGROUND: Neonates face a high risk of healthcare-associated bloodstream infections, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Effective surveillance is crucial for safe neonatal care and infection prevention. AIM: To evaluate infection trends, pathogen distribution and antimicrobial resistance patterns in central- and peripheral-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs and PLABSIs) in Victorian Level 6 neonatal intensive care units between 1(st) July 2008 and 30(th) June 2024. METHODS: Data were collected by the Victorian Healthcare Associated Infection Surveillance System Coordinating Centre using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Healthcare Safety Network guidelines. A retrospective data analysis of prospectively collected data was conducted to examine infection epidemiology. FINDINGS: Overall, 581 neonates developed CLABSIs or PLABSIs, corresponding to a mean CLABSI rate of 2.26 per 1000 central-line-days and a mean PLABSI rate of 0.60 per 1000 peripheral-line-days. The median age at diagnosis of all events was 16 days (interquartile range 9-35 days). No trends were observed in CLASBI or PLABSI rates over the study period. However, an increasing trend in CLABSI rates [incidence risk ratio (IRR) 1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00-1.07; P=0.043] and a decreasing trend in PLABSI rates (IRR 0.95, 95% CI 0.92-0.99; P=0.021) were noted among neonates with birth weight ≤750 g. The most frequently reported organisms were coagulase-negative staphylococci, responsible for 44.0% of CLABSIs and 39.5% of PLABSIs. CONCLUSION: Neonatal intensive care units in Victoria maintained low CLABSI and PLABSI rates over the study period. Higher infection rates in low-birthweight neonates emphasize the need for targeted infection prevention strategies for this vulnerable population.
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Keywords
- Humans; Infant, Newborn; *Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; *Catheter-Related Infections/epidemiology/microbiology; Retrospective Studies; Victoria/epidemiology; Female; Male; *Cross Infection/epidemiology/microbiology; *Sepsis/epidemiology; Incidence; *Bacteremia/epidemiology/microbiology; *Epidemiological Monitoring; *Catheterization, Central Venous/adverse effects; *Catheterization, Peripheral/adverse effects; Bloodstream infection; Central-line-associated bloodstream infection; Epidemiology; Healthcare-associated infection; Neonatal intensive care unit; Peripheral-line-associated bloodstream infection; Surveillance
- Department(s)
- Infectious Diseases
- Publisher's Version
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2025.04.009
- Open Access at Publisher's Site
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Creation Date: 2025-06-02 07:40:48
Last Modified: 2025-07-31 02:10:26