Archives of disease in childhood
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To prospectively assess the incidence rates and characteristics of central venous line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in one institution. ⋯ CLABSI incidence varied by type of catheter and type of patient, with the highest risk in neonates (with silastic percutaneous CVC) and by far the lowest risk for Port-a-cath CVC. Prophylactic measures to reduce CLABSI should be tailored to individual types of catheters and patient characteristics.
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To analyse the number of successful claims against the National Health Service (NHS) involving children, the nature and outcome of incidents leading to litigation and the costs of claims. ⋯ Delayed diagnosis of severe sepsis is the commonest adverse incident leading to successful litigation and the commonest adverse outcome is death. The cost to the NHS is considerable. A better understanding of the causes of common errors in paediatrics should inform training and help to decrease these adverse events.
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Parent-reported symptoms are frequently used to triage children, but little is known about which symptoms identify children with serious respiratory infections. The authors aimed to identify symptoms and triage findings predictive of serious respiratory infection, and to quantify agreement between parent and nurse assessment. ⋯ Parent-reported symptoms were unreliable discriminators of serious respiratory infection in children with suspected acute infection, and did not correlate well with nurse assessment. Using symptoms to identify higher risk children in this setting is unreliable. Nurse triage assessment of respiratory distress and some vital signs are important predictors.