TY - JOUR T1 - Managing and preventing outbreaks of Gram-negative infections in UK neonatal units JF - Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition JO - Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed SP - F549 LP - F553 DO - 10.1136/archdischild-2012-303540 VL - 98 IS - 6 AU - Mark Anthony AU - Alison Bedford-Russell AU - Tracey Cooper AU - Carole Fry AU - Paul T Heath AU - Nigel Kennea AU - Maureen McCartney AU - Bharat Patel AU - Tina Pollard AU - Mike Sharland AU - Peter Wilson Y1 - 2013/11/01 UR - http://fn.bmj.com/content/98/6/F549.abstract N2 - De novo guidance on the management of Gram-negative bacteria outbreaks in UK neonatal units was developed in 2012 by a Department of Health, England Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection working group. The recommendations included activation of an organisational response and establishing a control team when an outbreak is suspected; screening for the specific organism only during an outbreak; undertaking multidisciplinary reviews of cleaning routines, hand hygiene and Gram-negative bacteria transmission risks; considering deep-cleaning; cohorting colonised and infected babies preferably but not necessarily in isolation cubicles; and considering reducing beds or closing a unit to new admissions as a way of improving spacing and staff:patient ratios until the outbreak is under control. The group advised establishing mechanisms to communicate effectively across the network; informing parents of the outbreak as early as possible, and providing prewritten ‘infection outbreak’ information sheets. For prevention of outbreaks, the group advised meeting national staffing and cot-spacing requirements; following a Water Action Plan; using infection reduction care bundles and benchmarking; and introducing breast milk early and limiting antibiotic use. ER -