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Updated: Jun 11, 2025
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Outbreaks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Description and Management
Chryssoula Tzialla1, Alberto Berardi2, Vito Mondì3
1Neonatal and Pediatric Unit, Polo Ospedaliero Oltrepò, ASST Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
Abstract:
Healthcare settings, especially intensive care units, can provide an ideal environment for the transmission of pathogens and the onset of outbreaks. Many factors can contribute to the onset of an epidemic in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), including neonates' vulnerability to healthcare-associated infections, especially for those born preterm; facility design; frequent invasive procedures; and frequent contact with healthcare personnel. Outbreaks in NICUs are one of the most relevant problems because they are often caused by multidrug-resistant organisms associated with increased mortality and morbidity. The prompt identification of an outbreak, the subsequent investigation to identify the source of infection, the risk factors, the reinforcement of routine infection control measures, and the implementation of additional control measures are essential elements to contain an epidemic.
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