1220. Public Health Investigations of Water-Related Organisms in Neonatal Intensive Care Units—United States, 2014–2022

Abstract

Abstract Background Preterm and critically ill infants cared for in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are vulnerable to a wide variety of infections. Water use in healthcare settings is a known risk factor for opportunistic pathogen transmission due to the ability of such pathogens to persist in premise plumbing, though facility water risk assessments may also not account for practices within NICUs. We describe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) consultations involving NICU patients and water-related organisms to help inform infection prevention and control response. Methods We searched internal CDC records from January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2021, to identify consultations involving investigations of potential or confirmed transmission of water-related organisms in NICU settings. We used available information to determine number of consultations and patients affected, most common organisms implicated, and potential exposure pathways and transmission routes. Results Of 92 consultations involving NICUs in the United States during the study period, we identified 30 consultations (33%) of water-related organism infections or outbreaks; combined, water-related organisms were isolated from 178 patients during these investigations. Serratia marcescens was the organism reported in the greatest number of investigations (n=10, 33%), followed by Pseudomonas spp. and Burkholderia cepacia complex (each n=4, 13%). Definitive transmission routes were not determined for all consultations, though investigations frequently identified concerns with water use in infant activities of daily living, such as bathing or feeding (n=14, 47%). Examples of such exposures unique to the NICU setting included the use of tap water to remove disinfectant residue from humidified isolettes and storage of supplies rinsed in water in infant bath basins to dry. Conclusion Consultations involving water-related organisms are common in the NICU. While clear sources of transmission are not always found, investigations often identified water exposures that may pose infection risks. To protect critically ill infants, hospitals should account for the extensive and unique characteristics of water use in NICUs when developing water management programs. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures.