Disease Burden Associated with Viral Respiratory Infections in Pediatric Oncology Patients

Written on 06 May 2014.

G. Syridou, C. Vliora, C. Kottaridi, D. Doganis, V. Papadakis, N. Tourkantoni, A. Paissiou, G. Kourlaba, T. Zaoutis, V. Papaevangelou
32nd Annual Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID 2014)
|Dublin, Ireland, May 6-10, 2014

AIM: A prospective observational study was conducted to examine whether viral infections of the upper/lower respiratory tract are associated with chemotherapy delay in pediatric oncology patients.

Antimicrobial Prophylaxis in Pediatric Surgical Patients: Identifying Targets for Improvement

Written on 06 October 2013.

Zoi Papanikolaou, Anastasia Dimopoulou, Katerina Mougkou, Georgia Kourlaba, Efthymios Choidis, Sofia Kouni, Stefania Maroudi-Manta, Susan Coffin, Theoklis Zaoutis, and Athanasia Lourida
Infectious Disease (ID) Week
San Francisco, California, October 2-6, 2013

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infection (SSIs) are the second most common healthcare-acquired infection (HAI) reported in children.  Guidelines for antimicrobial prophylaxis (AP) have been published. Data on the adherence to these guidelines are sparse in children. Determining adherence to these guidelines is particularly important in Greece because the rate of antimicrobial consumption and prevalence of multi-drug resistant organisms are amongst the highest observed in developed nations. The aim of the study was to determine current AP practices in pediatric surgery patients in Greece to identify opportunities for improvement. 

Prospective Surveillance of Surgical Site Infections in a Greek Children's Hospital

Written on 06 October 2013.

Zoi Papanikolaou, Anastasia Dimopoulou, Katerina Mougkou, Georgia Kourlaba, Efthymios Choidis, Sofia Kouni, Stefania Maroudi-Manta, Susan Coffin, Theoklis Zaoutis, and Athanasia Lourida
Infectious Disease (ID) Week
San Francisco, California, October 2-6, 2013

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the second most common health care-associated infection (HAI) in adults and children. There is a paucity of data in children especially in Europe. HAIs are of particular concern in Greece because the strains placed on the healthcare system by the financial crisis. The objective of the study was to determine the incidence of SSIs in children undergoing general surgical procedures. 

Assessment of hand hygiene practices at the two children’s hospitals in Greece

Written on 28 July 2013.

S. Kouni, K. Mougkou, G. Kurlaba, C. Nteli, A. Lourida, S. Maroudi-Manta, T. Zaoutis, S. Coffin
2nd International Conference on Prevention and Infection Control (ICPIC 2013)
Geneva, Switzerland, June 25-28, 2013

INTRODUCTION: Hand hygiene (HH) is one of the basic components of the infection control program and is frequently considered synonymous with hand washing. The use of a waterless, alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) is more effective, saves time and promote better compliance than hand washing.

Active surveillance for central line associated bloodstream infections in hospitalized children in Greece

Written on 28 July 2013.

K. Mougkou, S. Kouni, G. Kurlaba, M. Kitra, D. Gkentzi, S. Maroudi-Manta, A. Lourida, S. Coffin, T. Zaoutis
2nd International Conference on Prevention and Infection Control (ICPIC 2013)
Geneva, Switzerland, June 25-28, 2013

INTRODUCTION: Central line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is the most common healthcare-associated infection in high risk children and is associated with significant mortality, increased length of hospital stay and increased healthcare costs. There are limited data on the epidemiology of CLABSIs in hospitalized children in Greece. Objectives The study aim was to prospectively assess the epidemiology of CLABSIs in 3 children`s hospitals in Greece.