Association Between Unit Type and Risk of Bloodstream Infections in Pediatric Patients
Location
Lion's Eye Center
Event Website
https://publichealth.lsuhsc.edu/honorsday/2026/
Start Date
7-4-2026 11:30 AM
End Date
7-4-2026 1:30 PM
Description
Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) remain a major source of morbidity and healthcare burden in hospitalized populations. Bloodstream infections (BSI) occur when pathogenic organisms enter the bloodstream, a HAI associated with prolonged hospital stays and mortality. Understanding how clinical context, including hospital unit type, influences BSI risk is essential for improving prevention strategies.
Objectives: This study aimed to assess whether hospital unit type is associated with BSI risk among hospitalized pediatric patients and to identify pathogen distribution among BSI cases.
Methods: We conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional study to evaluate the association between hospital unit type and BSI. Blood cultures were collected from December 2024 to August 2025 at a pediatric hospital in Louisiana. BSI cases (n = 30) were identified using the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) criteria. Pearson’s chi-square tests assessed associations between BSI and patient characteristics. Log-binomial regression models were used to estimate risk ratios (RR) for BSI while adjusting for covariates.
Results: No significant differences were observed across demographic characteristics, device type, or pathogen distribution. In the unadjusted analyses, patients in the hematology-oncology unit had a higher risk of BSI compared to ICU patients (RR = 1.89; 95% CI: 1.04–3.42). However, this association was attenuated and no longer statistically significant after adjustment (RR = 1.21; 95% CI: 0.89–1.64).
Conclusions: Although unit type appeared associated with BSI risk in the unadjusted analyses, this relationship was not significant after accounting for clinical factors, suggesting that underlying patient complexity and device use may explain observed differences.
Recommendations: Infection prevention efforts should continue to prioritize strengthening consistent care and early detection surveillance to help reduce BSI risk and improve patient outcomes.
Recommended Citation
Hussain, Hifza, "Association Between Unit Type and Risk of Bloodstream Infections in Pediatric Patients" (2026). School of Public Health Delta Omega Honors Day Poster Sessions. 16.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/dohd/2026/2026/16
Association Between Unit Type and Risk of Bloodstream Infections in Pediatric Patients
Lion's Eye Center
Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) remain a major source of morbidity and healthcare burden in hospitalized populations. Bloodstream infections (BSI) occur when pathogenic organisms enter the bloodstream, a HAI associated with prolonged hospital stays and mortality. Understanding how clinical context, including hospital unit type, influences BSI risk is essential for improving prevention strategies.
Objectives: This study aimed to assess whether hospital unit type is associated with BSI risk among hospitalized pediatric patients and to identify pathogen distribution among BSI cases.
Methods: We conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional study to evaluate the association between hospital unit type and BSI. Blood cultures were collected from December 2024 to August 2025 at a pediatric hospital in Louisiana. BSI cases (n = 30) were identified using the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) criteria. Pearson’s chi-square tests assessed associations between BSI and patient characteristics. Log-binomial regression models were used to estimate risk ratios (RR) for BSI while adjusting for covariates.
Results: No significant differences were observed across demographic characteristics, device type, or pathogen distribution. In the unadjusted analyses, patients in the hematology-oncology unit had a higher risk of BSI compared to ICU patients (RR = 1.89; 95% CI: 1.04–3.42). However, this association was attenuated and no longer statistically significant after adjustment (RR = 1.21; 95% CI: 0.89–1.64).
Conclusions: Although unit type appeared associated with BSI risk in the unadjusted analyses, this relationship was not significant after accounting for clinical factors, suggesting that underlying patient complexity and device use may explain observed differences.
Recommendations: Infection prevention efforts should continue to prioritize strengthening consistent care and early detection surveillance to help reduce BSI risk and improve patient outcomes.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/dohd/2026/2026/16