Abstract Background Post-operative central nervous system (CNS) and non-CNS infections are common complications in children with brain tumors, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In 2023, the Philippine General Hospital reported high rates of post-operative ventriculitis, nosocomial sepsis, catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), and pneumonia. To address these challenges, a post-operative nursing care bundle was implemented, which included materials for wound care and bathing, parental education, and regular monitoring of compliance by a nurse coordinator specializing in brain tumors. Methods To evaluate the impact of this intervention, we conducted a retrospective comparison of data on CNS and non-CNS nosocomial infections before and after the implementation of the post-operative care bundle. Results After the implementation of the post-operative care bundle, the rate of CNS infections decreased from 26.09% in 2023 to 9.09% in 2024. There were also significant reductions in nosocomial urinary tract infections (UTIs), which dropped from 21.73% to 11.36%, and nosocomial sepsis, which decreased from 23.91% to 4.55%. However, the rate of nosocomial pneumonia remained high, increasing from 21.73% to 31.82%, with more than half of these cases occurring in patients dependent on ventilators. Conclusion The comprehensive and consistent application of the post-operative care bundle significantly reduced nosocomial infections among pediatric brain tumor patients. Further studies, including Quality Improvement methods, are needed to address ventilator-associated pneumonia, ensure the sustainability of the intervention, and evaluate its impact on survival outcomes.
Alcasabas et al. (Fri,) studied this question.