Nosocomial bloodstream infections were determined
for 30-month periods prior to (1 January 2003–31 June
2005) and 18-month periods after (1 July 2005–31
December 2006) implementation of the education program.
Nosocomial bloodstream infection was defined as an
infection occurring later than 72 h after admission, at least
one positive blood culture and elevated C-reactive protein
concentration (>10 mg/L) (Stoll et al., 2002). The incidence
rate was defined as the percentage of infants who had one
or more infections in those periods. We also determined
the rate of infections per 1000 patient days before and after
the intervention.