Dangerous infections more likely in PICUs than ICUs

A Consumer reports investigation focused on the 92 pediatric intensive-care units in 31 states plus Washington, D.C., that publicly reported enough data to make statistically valid assessments of their rate of bloodstream infections. PICUs had infection rates that were 20 percent higher than national rates for adult ICUs. PICUs averaged 1.8 bloodstream infections for every 1,000 days children were on central lines, compared with an estimated national average of 1.5 bloodstream infections per 1,000 central line days in adult ICUs in 2009.