Hanyang Med Rev.  2009 Nov;29(4):354-361. 10.7599/hmr.2009.29.4.354.

Effective Strategies for the Prevention of Nosocomial Sepsis in Extremely Premature Infants

• Chang YS

• KMID: 2053722
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7599/hmr.2009.29.4.354

Abstract

Nosocomial sepsis or late onset sepsis is among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in extremely low birth weight infants hospitalized to neonatal intensive care units (NICU). Prevention of nosocomial sepsis is based on strategies that aim to limit susceptibility to infections by enhancing functional maturities, and ameliorating extrinsic risk factors by limiting transmission of organisms and by promoting the judicious use of antimicrobials. Several clinical strategies which are available include; hand hygiene practices; prevention of central venous catheter-related septicemia; judicious use of therapeutic or prophylactic antimicrobials; proper skin care; and early trophic enteral feeding with human milk. The implementation of these proper clinical strategies and maintaining of surveillance system in individual NICU for prevention of nosocomial infection is quite effective and important to reduce the incidence of noscomial sepsis of extremely premature infants and ultimately to improve their survival and quality of life.

Keyword

Sepsis; Extremely low birth weight (ELBW); Nosocomial; Prevention; Neonate

MeSH Terms

Cross Infection
Enteral Nutrition
Hand Hygiene
Humans
Incidence
Infant
Infant, Extremely Premature
Infant, Low Birth Weight
Infant, Newborn
Intensive Care Units, Neonatal
Milk, Human
Quality of Life
Risk Factors
Sepsis
Skin

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Maintenance of maximal barrier precautions for performing central venous catheterization in neonatal intensive care unit include; setting the sterile field with large drape; and wearing of sterile gown and glove with mask and hat.

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  Fig. 2 Aseptic maintenance of hubs and stopcocks of central catheter with their putting on sterile green drape aside extremely premature infant within incubator.

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