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Published on: December 10, 2013
Viral Respiratory Infections in Hospitalized Children With Symptomatic Caregivers
Maude Paquette1, Allyson Shephard2, Pat Bedard2
1aDivision of Infectious Diseases, Immunology and Allergy.
Insights
Sick caregivers and visitors can transmit healthcare-associated viral respiratory infections (HAVRIs) to children in hospitals. Engaging families in prevention is crucial for reducing pediatric HAVRI incidence.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Hospital Epidemiology
- Infection Prevention and Control
Background:
- Healthcare-associated viral respiratory infections (HAVRIs) pose a significant burden in pediatric settings.
- Current infection prevention often focuses on healthcare workers, overlooking the role of family and visitors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the proportion of pediatric HAVRIs linked to contact with sick caregivers or hospital visitors.
- To identify the impact of sick visitors and caregivers on pediatric HAVRI incidence.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of laboratory-confirmed HAVRIs in a pediatric tertiary care center (December 2017 - July 2019).
- HAVRI defined as respiratory viral illness occurring >72 hours post-admission.
- Analysis of patient demographics, comorbidities, rooming status, and contact history with sick individuals.
Main Results:
- Forty-four HAVRIs occurred, primarily in infants (<24 months) and those with comorbidities.
- Contact with a sick caregiver or visitor preceded 20.5% of HAVRIs.
- A significant proportion of affected patients required increased oxygen or ICU transfer.
Conclusions:
- Contact with sick caregivers and visitors is a potential risk factor for pediatric HAVRIs.
- Family engagement in infection control is vital for preventing HAVRIs in pediatric healthcare settings.
Objectives:
The burden of healthcare-associated viral respiratory infections (HAVRIs) among children is significant. While healthcare workers are often the focus for infection prevention strategies, little is known about the impact of sick caregivers and hospital visitors on the incidence of pediatric HAVRIs. The objective of this descriptive study was to determine the proportion of pediatric HAVRIs following contact with a sick caregiver or visitor.
Methods:
A retrospective chart review was performed of all HAVRIs that occurred between December 2017 and July 2019 in a pediatric tertiary care center. A HAVRI was defined as a laboratory-confirmed respiratory viral illness occurring more than 72 hours after admission.
Results:
Forty-four HAVRIs occurred in 37 patients during the study, predominantly among patients aged <24 months (n = 32, 72.7%) and with comorbidities (n = 42, 95.5%). For 9 HAVRIs (20.5%), contact with a sick caregiver (n = 8, 18.2%) or visitor (n = 2, 4.5%) in the 7 days before diagnosis was documented. In the 72 hours before HAVRI onset, 18 of the 44 patients (40.9%) were in a single-bed room and 6 of them (33.3%) were under additional precautions. Twelve patients (27.3%) had new or increased oxygen requirements and 4 (9.1%) were transferred to the ICU. There were no associated deaths.
Conclusions:
Contact with a sick caregiver or visitor is a potential risk factor for acquiring a HAVRI. Our study reinforces the importance of engaging family caregivers in infection prevention and control strategies in pediatric care settings.
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