Spatial and environmental correlates of organism colonization and infection in the neonatal intensive care unit

Objectiveto examine organism colonization and infection in the neonatal intensive care unit as a result of environmental and spatial factors.study designa retrospective cohort of infants admitted between 2006 and 2015 (n = 11 428), to assess the relationship between location and four outcomes: methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (mrsa) colonization; culture-confirmed late-onset sepsis; and, if intubated, endotracheal tube colonization with pseudomonas aeruginosa or klebsiella pneumonia. independent risk factors were identified with mixed-effects logistic regression models and moran’s i for spatial autocorrelation.resultall four outcomes statistically clustered by location; neighboring colonization also influenced risk of mrsa (p < 0.05). for p. aeruginosa, being in a location with space for more medical equipment was associated with 2.61 times the odds of colonization (95% cri: 1.19, 5.78).conclusionextrinsic factors partially explained risk for neonatal colonization and infection. for p. aeruginosa, infection prevention efforts at locations with space for more equipment may lower future colonization.