Healthcare-associated infections at a children's cancer hospital, 1983-2008

Background. Little is known about the incidence and etiology of healthcare-associated infections in immunosuppressed children. Methods. Data collected prospectively between 1983 and 2008 were used to analyze changes in the rate, types of infection, and infecting organisms over time in patients treated at a children's cancer hospital. Neutropenia was evaluated as a risk factor. Results. Over the 26-year study period, 1986 healthcare-associated infections were identified during 1653 hospitalizations. The infection rate decreased significantly from 5.6 to 2.0 infections per 100 discharges (P <.01) and from 9.0 to 3.7 infections per 1000 patient-days (P <.01). Bloodstream infections were the most common type of infection (32.7% of all infections). Staphylococci (46.4% of Gram-positive bacteria), Escherichia coli (36.7% of Gram-negative bacteria), and Candida spp. (68.7% of fungi) were the most common pathogens isolated. An absolute neutrophil count (ANC) nadir <100 per mm3 was significantly associated (P <.0001) with an increased rate of infections compared with higher ANC nadirs. Conclusions. Despite a steady expansion in hospital capacity and patient encounters over the last 3 decades, rates of healthcare-associated infections decreased significantly at our hospital. These data suggest that sustained decreases in the rate of healthcare-associated infections in immunosuppressed children are possible. An ANC <100 per mm3 is a risk factor for healthcare-associated infections in this population.