Researchers from UC Davis Health in Sacramento, Calif.; University of Michigan in Ann Arbor; Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio; and Columbia University in New York City developed the new protocol.
The protocol instructs clinicians to screen infants that come to the ED with a fever for three things:
- Bacteria levels in urine
- Procalcitonin, a substance produced in response to bacterial infections
- Neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that fights infection
To test the protocol, researchers examined data on 1,821 infants under 2 months old who presented at 26 EDs nationwide with fevers between March 2011 and May 2013. Clinicians used the new protocol on a random sample of 908 infants and validated it on 913 other infants.
Researchers found the new protocol allowed clinicians to more precisely rule out infants at risk of serious bacterial infections, thereby limiting the need for spinal taps, antibiotic prescriptions and hospitalizations. However, they noted further validation is needed before EDs fully implement the protocol.
More articles on clinical leadership and infection control:
Better hospital care cannot prevent most sepsis deaths, study finds
CDC grossly underestimating superbug death toll, researchers find
AI tool predicts cancer survival more accurately than standard method, study says
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
