The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) have developed surveillance definitions for health care-associated infection (HCAI) and specific types of infections in health care settings. The diagnosis of clinical sepsis (CSEP) in a neonate or infant requires that certain criteria be met.
Patient selection: neonate or infant <= 12 months of age
Clinical criteria – all of the following:
(1) clinical signs and symptoms that can be seen in sepsis
(2) no other explanation for the findings
(3) no other apparent site of infection
(4) absence of a diagnostic positive blood culture (negative blood cultures OR blood cultures not performed OR nondiagnostic blood culture results)
(5) the physician initiates therapy for sepsis
where:
• The presence of a diagnostic positive blood culture indicates laboratory-confirmed blood infection (LCBI).
Clinicals signs and symptoms include one or more of the following:
(1) abnormal body temperature (temperature < 37°C rectal OR > 38°C rectal)
(2) apnea
(3) bradycardia
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