Infection prevention and control

The Division of Infectious Diseases leads the Cohen Children's program to prevent transmission of infections and report and control communicable (contagious) diseases. Our accomplishments in this area include:

• Development of programs and practices to identify and prevent transmission of highly contagious infections, such as chicken pox and measles
• Implementation of new practices that have decreased transmission of several respiratory viruses, such as flu (influenza), within the hospital
• New practices in the neonatal intensive care nursery that have prevented bacterial staph (staphylococcus) infections, which commonly occur in premature babies
• Partnerships with the local and state health departments in infection prevention

Antimicrobial stewardship

Our division advises all medical professionals at Cohen Children's on how to use antibiotics wisely, in order to minimize side effects and prevent development of bacterial resistance to these medicines. Our team includes a dedicated pharmacist with an advanced degree in antibiotic use and infectious diseases, as well as physicians, nurses and safety specialists. We're involved in ongoing initiatives to provide optimal antibiotic use for all patients, including the most vulnerable in the neonatal and pediatric intensive care units. We ensure that patients receive the correct antibiotic in the right dose for the right duration, and they do not receive an antibiotic if it's not needed.