We assessed the efficacy of 2 alcohol-based gels and 1 alcohol-based rinse for surgical hand disinfection, using European standard EN 12791. Volunteers performed surgical hand disinfection with a reference product and each of the 3 study products, with 1-week intervals between disinfection episodes. The immediate and sustained antimicrobial activities of each study product were not significantly less than those of the reference product. The study products passed the efficacy requirements of the EN 12791 standard, and they are considered suitable for surgical hand disinfection.

We describe 2 pediatric patients with Ralstonia pickettii bacteremia associated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy. Investigation revealed a common environmental source—the ECMO temperature-control units. We created guidelines for disinfecting these units that do not void the manufacturer's warranty and have prevented additional cases of bacteremia due to this organism.

The spectrum and antimicrobial susceptibilities of pathogens causing acute nosocomial urinary tract infection in hospitalized pediatric patients were revealed to be heterogeneous. Therefore, to avoid the failure of empirical antimicrobial therapy in these patients, underlying disease and previous antimicrobial treatment have to be considered.