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Infant security systems are frequently utilized in newborn nurseries to guard against infant abduction. These devices typically emit radiofrequency waves and alert providers if a baby is moved beyond a defined care area.1–3 The device may be placed on the body or attached to the umbilical cord clamp. Herein, we report the occurrence of several cases of periumbilical skin or soft-tissue infection (PSSTI) associated with the use of such devices on newborn babies.
On August 15, 2014, a doctor (K.J.K.) notified the Department of Infection Prevention and Control (DIPC) at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (HUMC) of her concern that some newborns had developed “omphalitis recently” and that these cases were related to a tracking device (TotGuard, GuardRFID Solutions, Delta, British Columbia, Canada) placed on patients at birth. This device was introduced on March 13, 2014, for newborns in the well-infant nursery (level 1) or the intermediate-care nursery (level 2). Babies admitted directly to the neonatal intensive care unit did not receive the device. Nursing staff received training, and a device was attached to the umbilical cord clamp of each infant per the manufacturer’s instructions. Newborn umbilical care was not altered in any way. The umbilical device was discontinued 3 days after the potential PSSTI problem was noted.
The DIPC performed an investigation to clarify the possibility of PSSTI as a direct consequence of the tracking device. We performed case ascertainment by reviewing (1) International Classification of Disease,...