J Korean Med Sci.  2021 Nov;36(46):e307. 10.3346/jkms.2021.36.e307.

Controlling an Outbreak of Multidrugresistant Acinetobacter baumannii in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: a Retrospective Analysis

• Byun JH
• Park SE
• Seo M
• Jang J
• Hwang MS
• Song JY
• Chang CL
• Kim YA

• KMID: 2522882
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2021.36.e307

Abstract

Background
Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) is widespread among intensive care units worldwide, posing a threat to patients and the health system. We describe the successful management of a MDRAB outbreak by implementing an infection-control strategy in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).
Methods
This retrospective study investigated the patients admitted to the PICU in periods 1 (8 months) and 2 (7 months), from the index MDRAB case to intervention implementation, and from intervention implementation to cessation of MDRAB spread. An infection-control strategy was designed following six concepts: 1) cohort isolation of colonized patients, 2) enforcement of hand hygiene, 3) universal contact precautions, 4) environmental management, 5) periodic surveillance culture study, and 6) monitoring and feedback.
Results
Of the 427 patients, 29 were confirmed to have MDRAB colonization, of which 18 had MDRAB infections. Overall incidence per 1,000 patient days decreased from 7.8 (period 1) to 5.8 (period 2). The MDRAB outbreak was declared terminated after the 6-month followup following period 2. MDRAB was detected on the computer keyboard and in condensed water inside the ventilator circuits. The rate of hand hygiene performance was the lowest in the three months before and after index case admission and increased from 84% (period 1) to 95% (period 2). Patients with higher severity, indicated by a higher Pediatric Risk of Mortality III score, were more likely to develop colonization (P = 0.030), because they had invasive devices and required more contact with healthcare workers. MDRAB colonization contributed to an increase in the duration of mechanical ventilation and PICU stay (P < 0.001), but did not affect mortality (P = 0.273).
Conclusion
The MDRAB outbreak was successfully terminated by the implementation of a comprehensive infection-control strategy focused on the promotion of hand hygiene, universal contact precautions, and environmental management through multidisciplinary teamwork.

Keyword

Acinetobacter baumannii; Outbreak; Intensive Care Unit; Pediatric; Infection-control

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Schematic map of the pediatric intensive care unit and the implementation of a comprehensive infection-control strategy. MDRAB-colonized patients were isolated in isolation rooms, or in the cohort zone if isolation rooms were unavailable. One entrance was closed. The asterisks represent the sites where MDRAB was detected.MDRAB = multidrug-resistance A. baumannii.

• 

  Fig. 2 Monthly incidence of the MDRAB colonization and hand hygiene performance rate during MDRAB outbreak. A comprehensive infection-control strategy was implemented in January 2018. The overall incidence per 1,000 patient days decreased to 5.8 in period 2 from 7.8 in period 1. The last new colonization occurred in July 2018, and the last MDRAB colonization patient was discharged in August 2018. The MDRAB outbreak was declared terminated after the 6-month follow-up following period 2.MDRAB = multidrug-resistance A. baumannii.

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