Children's Hospital Colorado Slashes PICU Infections by 50%

High-risk rounding process proves effective in reducing hospital-acquired conditions

Feb. 8, 2026 at 12:31pm

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A recent study published in Critical Care Nurse reveals that Children's Hospital Colorado implemented a high-risk rounding process in its 48-bed PICU that reduced the rate of specific hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) by nearly 50% over a two-year period. The hospital's PICU, which serves approximately 3,500 admissions annually from seven states, saw its mean rate of project-specific HACs drop from 5.41 to 2.89 events per 1,000 patient days.

Why it matters

Hospital-acquired conditions are a significant contributor to healthcare costs and can prolong hospital stays, impacting both patient outcomes and resource utilization. The success of Children's Hospital Colorado's high-risk rounding approach suggests a potential paradigm shift in pediatric critical care, with increased adoption of similar protocols and greater investment in data analytics to identify and predict HAC risks.

The details

The core of the hospital's strategy involved developing specific criteria to pinpoint PICU patients at high risk for HACs. An interprofessional team then created a standardized template to facilitate focused discussions with direct care nurses. This collaborative approach extended prevention efforts 'beyond the bundle,' as the traditional 'bundles' of evidence-based practices can sometimes be reactive. The high-risk rounding process takes a more proactive stance, focusing on the underlying risks that contribute to multiple HACs simultaneously.

  • The study was published in Critical Care Nurse in February 2026.
  • The high-risk rounding process was implemented over a two-year period at Children's Hospital Colorado.

The players

Children's Hospital Colorado

A 48-bed PICU serving approximately 3,500 admissions annually from seven states.

Dr. Michele Loi

PICU director of quality at Children's Hospital Colorado.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The hospital plans to continue refining its high-risk rounding process and explore the integration of electronic health records (EHRs) and machine learning algorithms to further enhance risk stratification and personalize prevention strategies.

The takeaway

The success of Children's Hospital Colorado's high-risk rounding approach highlights the potential for a more proactive and holistic approach to reducing hospital-acquired conditions in pediatric critical care. This model could serve as a blueprint for other PICUs looking to improve patient safety and outcomes.