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Related Research Units

Infectious Diseases Research

Research Overview

Dr. Sandora conducts epidemiologic and clinical research. His particular areas of interest include healthcare-associated infections, infection prevention, and hand hygiene. He also conducts research in medical education.

Gastrointestinal (GI) and respiratory tract infections are common among children attending out-of-home childcare, and these infections are often transmitted to family members in the home. Dr. Sandora was the principal investigator for the Healthy Hands Healthy Families study, which was the first randomized controlled trial to demonstrate that alcohol-based hand sanitizers (as part of a multifactorial hand hygiene intervention) can reduce illness transmission in the homes of families who have children enrolled in childcare programs. He also conducted a clinical trial demonstrating that a school-based disinfection and hand hygiene intervention can reduce absenteeism from gastrointestinal illness among elementary school students.

Dr. Sandora’s research also focuses on preventing infections in the hospital. He has studied risk factors and preventive strategies for central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in intensive care settings and other high-risk pediatric patient populations. He also studies C. difficile infection (CDI) and has investigated surveillance, risk factors, diagnostic testing strategies, and treatment of CDI in children.

Finally, Dr. Sandora holds several leadership roles in medical education and regularly serves as a mentor to residents and fellows. He is interested in educational scholarship and has studied topics such as the creation and assessment of a procedural skills curriculum for pediatric residents and the state of pediatric ID fellowship training in healthcare epidemiology.

Research Background

Dr. Sandora received his MD degree from Harvard Medical School and his MPH degree from the Harvard School of Public Health. He completed his pediatrics residency, chief residency, and infectious diseases fellowship at Boston Children's Hospital.

Education

Medical School

Harvard Medical School
1977 Boston MA

Internship

Boston Combined Residency Program (BCRP)
1998 Boston MA

Residency

Boston Combined Residency Program (BCRP)
2000 Boston MA

Residency

Chief Residency Boston Children's Hospital
2001 Boston MA

Fellowship

Pediatric Infectious Diseases Boston Children's Hospital
2004 Boston MA

Graduate School

MPH Harvard School of Public Health
2004 Boston MA

Publications

  1. Rotavirus Vaccination in the NICU: It's Time to Turn Opportunity Into Action. Pediatrics. 2025 Jan 01; 155(1). View Abstract
  2. Respiratory equality: let's stop playing favorites with COVID-19 in the healthcare setting. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2024 Dec 04; 1-2. View Abstract
  3. Risk factors for central line-associated bloodstream infection in the pediatric intensive care setting despite standard prevention measures. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2024 Oct 10; 1-9. View Abstract
  4. Impact and learner perspectives of a spaced-education platform to assess hand hygiene auditor competency. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2024 Sep 18; 1-5. View Abstract
  5. Going Down the Rabbit Hole. N Engl J Med. 2024 Aug 01; 391(5):454-459. View Abstract
  6. Pediatric Tuberculosis Infection Care Facilitators and Barriers: A Qualitative Study. Pediatrics. 2024 Mar 01; 153(3). View Abstract
  7. Area-Based Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Latent Tuberculosis Infection in a Low-Prevalence Setting. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2023 09 06; 109(3):595-599. View Abstract
  8. How Should We Determine the Role of Bezlotoxumab for Pediatric Clostridioides difficile Infection? J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2023 06 30; 12(6):332-333. View Abstract
  9. Redefining Clostridioides difficile infection antibiotic response and clinical outcomes. Lancet Infect Dis. 2023 07; 23(7):e259-e265. View Abstract
  10. Strategies to prevent Clostridioides difficile infections in acute-care hospitals: 2022 Update. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2023 04; 44(4):527-549. View Abstract
  11. Using a human factors framework to assess clinician perceptions of and barriers to high reliability in hand hygiene. Am J Infect Control. 2023 05; 51(5):514-519. View Abstract
  12. Use of expert consensus to develop a shared list of procedures with potential for aerosol generation during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Antimicrob Steward Healthc Epidemiol. 2023; 3(1):e44. View Abstract
  13. Baseline stool toxin concentration is associated with risk of recurrence in children with Clostridioides difficile infection. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2023 09; 44(9):1403-1409. View Abstract
  14. Interferon Gamma Release Assay Results and Testing Trends Among Patients Younger Than 2 Years Old at Two US Health Centers. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2023 03 01; 42(3):189-194. View Abstract
  15. Preventing pediatric catheter-associated urinary tract infections utilizing urinary catheter Kamishibai cards (K-cards). Am J Infect Control. 2023 08; 51(8):919-925. View Abstract
  16. Stool Toxin Concentration Does Not Distinguish Clostridioides difficile Infection from Colonization in Children Less Than 3 Years of Age. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2022 Oct 25; 11(10):454-458. View Abstract
  17. Increasing Use Of Interferon Gamma Release Assays Among Children =2 Years of Age in a Setting With Low Tuberculosis Prevalence. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2022 12 01; 41(12):e534-e537. View Abstract
  18. Multicenter Analysis of Attrition from the Pediatric Tuberculosis Infection Care Cascade in Boston. J Pediatr. 2023 02; 253:181-188.e5. View Abstract
  19. Association of Diagnostic Stewardship for Blood Cultures in Critically Ill Children With Culture Rates, Antibiotic Use, and Patient Outcomes: Results of the Bright STAR Collaborative. JAMA Pediatr. 2022 07 01; 176(7):690-698. View Abstract
  20. Impact of decreasing vancomycin exposure on acute kidney injury in stem cell transplant recipients. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2022 10; 43(10):1375-1381. View Abstract
  21. Clostridioides difficile Infection in Children: The Role of Infection Prevention and Antimicrobial Stewardship. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2021 Nov 17; 10(Supplement_3):S64-S68. View Abstract
  22. Novel Deployment of Pediatric Biocontainment Unit Nurses in Response to COVID-19. Am J Nurs. 2021 Nov 01; 121(11):53-58. View Abstract
  23. Mycobacterium chimaera Outbreak Management and Outcomes at a Large Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Center. Ann Thorac Surg. 2022 08; 114(2):552-559. View Abstract
  24. Predictive Value of Direct Disk Diffusion Testing from Positive Blood Cultures in a Children's Hospital and Its Utility in Antimicrobial Stewardship. J Clin Microbiol. 2021 05 19; 59(6). View Abstract
  25. Toxocara Myopericarditis and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a Young Girl. Case Rep Pediatr. 2021; 2021:5526968. View Abstract
  26. A scoping review of paediatric latent tuberculosis infection care cascades: initial steps are lacking. BMJ Glob Health. 2021 05; 6(5). View Abstract
  27. Risk factors for pediatric surgical site infection following neurosurgical procedures for hydrocephalus: a retrospective single-center cohort study. BMC Anesthesiol. 2021 04 21; 21(1):124. View Abstract
  28. Leadership Training in Pediatric Residency Programs: Identifying Content, Characterizing Practice, and Planning for the Future. Acad Pediatr. 2021 07; 21(5):772-776. View Abstract
  29. Stewardship Intervention to Optimize Central Venous Catheter Utilization in Critically Ill Children. Pediatr Qual Saf. 2021 Mar-Apr; 6(2):e389. View Abstract
  30. Non-SARS-CoV-2 Infections Among Patients Evaluated for MIS-C Associated With COVID-19. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2021 02 01; 40(2):e90-e93. View Abstract
  31. Trends in Pediatric Candidemia: Epidemiology, Anti-Fungal Susceptibility, and Patient Characteristics in a Children's Hospital. J Fungi (Basel). 2021 Jan 22; 7(2). View Abstract
  32. Practice Improvement for Standardized Evaluation and Management of Acute Tracheitis in Mechanically Ventilated Children. Pediatr Qual Saf. 2021 Jan-Feb; 6(1):e368. View Abstract
  33. Pediatric research priorities in healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial stewardship. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2021 05; 42(5):519-522. View Abstract
  34. The Role of Anesthetic Management in Surgical Site Infections After Pediatric Intestinal Surgery. J Surg Res. 2021 03; 259:546-554. View Abstract
  35. Limiting Vancomycin Exposure in Pediatric Oncology Patients With Febrile Neutropenia May Be Associated With Decreased Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus Incidence. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2020 Sep 17; 9(4):428-436. View Abstract
  36. Central venous catheter bundle adherence: Kamishibai card (K-card) rounding for central-line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) prevention. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2020 09; 41(9):1058-1063. View Abstract
  37. Facilitators and barriers to a family empowerment strategy to improve healthcare worker hand hygiene in a resource-limited setting. Am J Infect Control. 2020 12; 48(12):1485-1490. View Abstract
  38. A family empowerment strategy is associated with increased healthcare worker hand hygiene in a resource-limited setting. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2020 02; 41(2):202-208. View Abstract
  39. Genomic and epidemiological evidence of bacterial transmission from probiotic capsule to blood in ICU patients. Nat Med. 2019 11; 25(11):1728-1732. View Abstract
  40. Multidisciplinary Quality Improvement Intervention to Achieve Sustained Improvement in Hand Hygiene Reliability in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Pediatr Qual Saf. 2019 Nov-Dec; 4(6):e227. View Abstract
  41. A Consensus Guideline to Support Resident-as-Teacher Programs and Enhance the Culture of Teaching and Learning. J Grad Med Educ. 2019 Jun; 11(3):313-318. View Abstract
  42. Impact of a Resident Research Grant on Scholarly Output During Pediatric Residency. Acad Pediatr. 2019 May - Jun; 19(4):477-479. View Abstract
  43. Reducing Redundant Anaerobic Therapy Through Spaced Education and Antimicrobial Stewardship Interventions. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2018 Dec 03; 7(4):317-322. View Abstract
  44. Variability in antimicrobial use in pediatric ventilator-associated events. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2019 01; 40(1):32-39. View Abstract
  45. SHEA neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) white paper series: Practical approaches to Clostridioides difficile prevention. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2018 10; 39(10):1149-1153. View Abstract
  46. Clinical Practice Guidelines for Clostridium difficile Infection in Adults and Children: 2017 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA). Clin Infect Dis. 2018 03 19; 66(7):987-994. View Abstract
  47. Clinical Practice Guidelines for Clostridium difficile Infection in Adults and Children: 2017 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA). Clin Infect Dis. 2018 03 19; 66(7):e1-e48. View Abstract
  48. A novel wall water system for cardiopulmonary bypass may reduce the risk of aerosolized infection. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2018 07; 156(1):318-324. View Abstract
  49. Adherence to guidelines for testing and treatment of children with pharyngitis: a retrospective study. BMC Pediatr. 2018 02 09; 18(1):43. View Abstract
  50. Promoting Resident Professional Development Using Scholarly Academies. Acad Pediatr. 2018 May - Jun; 18(4):477-479. View Abstract
  51. Attributable Cost of Clostridium difficile Infection in Pediatric Patients. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2017 12; 38(12):1472-1477. View Abstract
  52. Clinical Utility of Preimplantation Homograft Cultures in Patients Undergoing Congenital Cardiac Surgery. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2017 Jun 01; 6(2):202-204. View Abstract
  53. A qualitative study to identify reasons for Clostridium difficile testing in pediatric inpatients receiving laxatives or stool softeners. Am J Infect Control. 2017 May 01; 45(5):539-541. View Abstract
  54. A Pediatric Approach to Ventilator-Associated Events Surveillance. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2017 03; 38(3):327-333. View Abstract
  55. Association Between Storage Interval and Contamination of Reprocessed Flexible Endoscopes in a Pediatric Gastrointestinal Procedural Unit. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2017 02; 38(2):131-135. View Abstract
  56. The Brief Case: Safe To Go Back in the Water? Vibrio parahaemolyticus Wound Infection Associated with Brackish Water. J Clin Microbiol. 2016 06; 54(6):1414-1415. View Abstract
  57. Closing the Brief Case: Safe To Go Back in the Water? Vibrio parahaemolyticus Wound Infection Associated with Brackish Water. J Clin Microbiol. 2016 06; 54(6):1672. View Abstract
  58. National Variability and Appropriateness of Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis in US Children's Hospitals. JAMA Pediatr. 2016 06 01; 170(6):570-6. View Abstract
  59. Ventilator-Associated Events in Neonates and Children--A New Paradigm. Crit Care Med. 2016 Jan; 44(1):14-22. View Abstract
  60. Impact of Mandatory Public Reporting of Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections on Blood Culture and Antibiotic Utilization in Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Units. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2015 Aug; 36(8):878-85. View Abstract
  61. Infection prevention and control practices in children's hospitals. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2015 May; 36(5):597-600. View Abstract
  62. Barriers to the use of face protection for standard precautions by health care providers. Am J Infect Control. 2015 Feb; 43(2):169-70. View Abstract
  63. Central line-associated bloodstream infections in neonates with gastrointestinal conditions: developing a candidate definition for mucosal barrier injury bloodstream infections. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2014 Nov; 35(11):1391-9. View Abstract
  64. Strategies to prevent Clostridium difficile infections in acute care hospitals: 2014 update. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2014 Sep; 35 Suppl 2:S48-65. View Abstract
  65. Strategies to prevent central line-associated bloodstream infections in acute care hospitals: 2014 update. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2014 Jul; 35(7):753-71. View Abstract
  66. Strategies to prevent Clostridium difficile infections in acute care hospitals: 2014 Update. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2014 Jun; 35(6):628-45. View Abstract
  67. Impact of needleless connector change frequency on central line-associated bloodstream infection rate. Am J Infect Control. 2014 May; 42(5):485-9. View Abstract
  68. An adolescent presenting with a pleural mass. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2014 May; 53(5):504-6. View Abstract
  69. What's your subtype? The epidemiologic utility of bacterial whole-genome sequencing. Clin Chem. 2014 Apr; 60(4):586-8. View Abstract
  70. Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control for Children: Report From the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America Pediatric Leadership Council. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2014 Mar; 3(1):4-6. View Abstract
  71. A randomized controlled trial of a vancomycin loading dose in children. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2013 Nov; 32(11):1217-23. View Abstract
  72. Diagnosis and Management of Clostridium difficile Infection by Pediatric Infectious Diseases Physicians. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2014 Mar; 3(1):43-8. View Abstract
  73. Beyond the bundle: a survey of central line-associated bloodstream infection prevention practices used in US and Canadian pediatric hospitals. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2013 Nov; 34(11):1208-10. View Abstract
  74. Improving stethoscope disinfection at a children's hospital. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2013 Nov; 34(11):1189-93. View Abstract
  75. Polymerase chain reaction test for Clostridium difficile toxin B gene reveals similar prevalence rates in children with and without inflammatory bowel disease. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2013 Sep; 57(3):293-7. View Abstract
  76. Vancomycin Use for Pediatric Clostridium difficile Infection Is Increasing and Associated with Specific Patient Characteristics. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2013 Sep; 57(9):4307-4313. View Abstract
  77. National variability in surveillance, testing, and infection prevention for Clostridium difficile infection in pediatric populations. Am J Infect Control. 2013 Oct; 41(10):933-5. View Abstract
  78. Bloodstream infections occurring in patients with percutaneously implanted bioprosthetic pulmonary valve: a single-center experience. Circ Cardiovasc Interv. 2013 Jun; 6(3):301-10. View Abstract
  79. Identifying antibiotic-resistant bacteria in hospitalized patients: what is the role of active-surveillance cultures? Clin Chem. 2013 Nov; 59(11):1556-60. View Abstract
  80. Microbiology and risk factors for central line-associated bloodstream infections among pediatric oncology outpatients: a single institution experience of 41 cases. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2013 Mar; 35(2):e71-6. View Abstract
  81. Disinfection of needleless connectors with chlorhexidine-alcohol provides long-lasting residual disinfectant activity. Am J Infect Control. 2013 Aug; 41(8):e77-9. View Abstract
  82. Pediatric infectious diseases fellowship training in healthcare epidemiology: a national needs assessment. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2013 Feb; 34(2):195-9. View Abstract
  83. Preventing lethal hospital outbreaks of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. N Engl J Med. 2012 Dec 06; 367(23):2168-70. View Abstract
  84. Changing epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization in paediatric intensive-care units. Epidemiol Infect. 2013 Sep; 141(9):1983-92. View Abstract
  85. Hand, foot, and mouth disease caused by coxsackievirus a6. Emerg Infect Dis. 2012 Oct; 18(10):1702-4. View Abstract
  86. Randomized controlled trial of an immunization recall intervention for adolescents. Pediatrics. 2012 Sep; 130(3):507-14. View Abstract
  87. Clostridium difficile Infection in Children: Current State and Unanswered Questions. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2012 Sep; 1(3):230-43. View Abstract
  88. Hand sanitizer and cough hygiene can reduce the number of influenza A infections in school children. J Pediatr. 2012 May; 160(5):881-2. View Abstract
  89. Predictors of stethoscope disinfection among pediatric health care providers. Am J Infect Control. 2012 Dec; 40(10):922-5. View Abstract
  90. Photo quiz: an 11-year-old with abdominal pain. J Clin Microbiol. 2012 Apr; 50(4):1139, 1508. View Abstract
  91. Moving CLABSI prevention beyond the intensive care unit: risk factors in pediatric oncology patients. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2011 Nov; 32(11):1079-85. View Abstract
  92. Epidemiology and risk factors for Clostridium difficile infection in children. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2011 Jul; 30(7):580-4. View Abstract
  93. Recent trends in the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in pediatric surgery. J Pediatr Surg. 2011 Feb; 46(2):366-71. View Abstract
  94. Risk factors for central line-associated bloodstream infection in pediatric intensive care units. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2010 Oct; 31(10):1049-56. View Abstract
  95. Prevention of healthcare-associated infections in children: new strategies and success stories. Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2010 Aug; 23(4):300-5. View Abstract
  96. Higher prevalence of pharyngeal than nasal Staphylococcus aureus carriage in pediatric intensive care units. J Clin Microbiol. 2010 Aug; 48(8):2957-9. View Abstract
  97. Risk factors for surgical site infection after cardiac surgery in children. Ann Thorac Surg. 2010 Jun; 89(6):1833-41; discussion 1841-2. View Abstract
  98. Test characteristics of commercial influenza assays for detecting pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in children. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2010 Mar; 29(3):261-2. View Abstract
  99. Neisseria meningitidis: epidemiology, treatment and prevention in adolescents. Curr Opin Pediatr. 2009 Aug; 21(4):437-43. View Abstract
  100. Reforming procedural skills training for pediatric residents: a randomized, interventional trial. Pediatrics. 2009 Aug; 124(2):610-9. View Abstract
  101. Risk factors for central line-associated bloodstream infection in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit. Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2009 Jul; 10(4):453-9. View Abstract
  102. Assessing quality indicators for pediatric community-acquired pneumonia. Am J Med Qual. 2009 Sep-Oct; 24(5):419-27. View Abstract
  103. Adverse events after administration of tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccine to healthcare workers. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2009 Apr; 30(4):389-91. View Abstract
  104. Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccination of adults in the USA. Expert Rev Vaccines. 2008 Jul; 7(5):621-34. View Abstract
  105. Pertussis vaccination for health care workers. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2008 Jul; 21(3):426-34. View Abstract
  106. Reducing absenteeism from gastrointestinal and respiratory illness in elementary school students: a randomized, controlled trial of an infection-control intervention. Pediatrics. 2008 Jun; 121(6):e1555-62. View Abstract
  107. Systematic intervention to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infection rates in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit. Pediatrics. 2008 May; 121(5):915-23. View Abstract
  108. Assessing procedural skills training in pediatric residency programs. Pediatrics. 2007 Oct; 120(4):715-22. View Abstract
  109. The association of television and video viewing with fast food intake by preschool-age children. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2006 Nov; 14(11):2034-41. View Abstract
  110. A randomized, controlled trial of a multifaceted intervention including alcohol-based hand sanitizer and hand-hygiene education to reduce illness transmission in the home. Pediatrics. 2005 Sep; 116(3):587-94. View Abstract
  111. Pneumonia in hospitalized children. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2005 Aug; 52(4):1059-81, viii. View Abstract
  112. Medical errors detected and corrected by a pediatric infectious diseases consultation service. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2005 Apr; 26(4):417-20. View Abstract
  113. Neonatal jaundice, animal-induced injuries, and immunizations. Curr Opin Pediatr. 2001 Aug; 13(4):377-85. View Abstract

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