A study indicates that a number of factors, including lack of research into pediatric health, and the lack of quality measures to gauge pediatric safety, may expose these young patients to a higher risk of hospital-acquired infections.  There are many differences between pediatric and adult patients, but unfortunately, Arizona medical malpractice lawyers see that many hospitals choose to overlook these differences.

The study was conducted by two Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital physicians, and the results have been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.  According to the study, the rates of central line-associated bloodstream infections and surgical site infections and other hospital-acquired infections rates differ for both children and adult patients.  For instance, pediatric patients have a higher susceptibility to central line-associated bloodstream infections and viral respiratory tract infections than adult patients.  However, adult patients are more susceptible to catheter-associated urinary tract infections, surgical site infections and ventilator-associated pneumonia.  In spite of these differences, the surveillance of infections continues to be the same for both groups.

The higher incidence of central line-associated bloodstream questions and pediatric patients poses a special challenge to hospitals and facilities caring for these patients.  For instance, preventing central line-associated bloodstream infections in pediatric patients is very important, because in these patients, there may often be the need to draw blood.  Besides, there is poorer vascular access to pediatric patients.  Catheters are often maintained for a longer period of time in child patients, and this often increases the risks of central line-associated bloodstream infections. 

Unfortunately, there is little solid research that can help us to understand how hospital-inquiry questions can be prevented in children.  We need more rigorous research into the prevention of hospital-acquired infections in child patients, and verification of the best practices for preventing these infections.