OBJECTIVE  To investigate an outbreak of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) hospital-associated infection in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a three-A hospital.

METHODS  Clinical data of eight CRKP-infected children in the PICU from Jan. 10 to 23, 2019, were collected. Epidemiological investigations and environmental hygiene monitoring were conducted. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was performed on the CRKP strains involved in this study to determine homology.

RESULTS  This study involved eight CRKP-infected patients. Epidemiological investigations revealed that some cases were spatially clustered. The CRKP strains isolated from the eight infected children exhibited similar antibiotic resistance profiles. Among 233 samples collected for environmental hygiene monitoring, only two tested positive for CRKP. The result of PFGE showed that one strain isolated from the surface of an infusion pump showed 100.00% homology with strains detected in specimens from the eight hospitalized children, while another strain isolated from a cleaner's hand did not show homology with other strains, suggesting potential cross-transmission. CONCLUSIONS The source of this outbreak is the index case, who introduced CRKP from the community. CRKP may result in environmental contamination through cross transmission among the patients. Early warning and investigation can effectively control hospital-associated infection outbreaks.

CONCLUSIONS  The source of this outbreak is the index case, who introduced CRKP from the community. CRKP can spread among patients and contaminate the environment. Early warning and investigation can effectively control hospital-associated infection outbreaks.