Related Experiment Videos
Control of nosocomial respiratory syncytial viral infections
Insights
Strict infection control measures reduced respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) spread to infants but not staff during an outbreak. Further strategies are needed to protect healthcare workers from RSV transmission.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Hospital Epidemiology
Background:
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) poses a significant threat to infants, particularly during community outbreaks.
- Nosocomial (hospital-acquired) RSV infections can lead to severe outcomes in infants, including pneumonia and mortality.
- Previous studies indicated high rates of RSV transmission to both infants and staff during outbreaks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of implemented infection control strategies in reducing RSV transmission within an infants' ward.
- To compare the rates of nosocomial RSV infection in infants and staff before and after the implementation of enhanced control measures.
Main Methods:
- The study involved 123 infants and 43 staff members during an RSV outbreak.
- Implemented methods included isolation and cohorting of infected infants, strict handwashing, use of gowns, and staff cohorting.
- Data on nosocomial RSV acquisition and staff symptomatic infections were collected and analyzed.
Main Results:
- Eight out of 87 (19%) contact infants acquired nosocomial RSV, with three developing pneumonia and one fatality.
- Twenty-four out of 43 (56%) staff members became infected, with 82% experiencing symptoms; four had reinfections.
- Compared to a previous year, infant RSV transmission decreased, but staff infection rates remained similar.
Conclusions:
- The implemented infection control measures were effective in reducing RSV transmission to infants.
- Healthcare staff remain vulnerable to RSV infection, likely due to droplet transmission and self-inoculation.
- Further research and enhanced protocols are necessary to minimize RSV transmission to healthcare personnel.
Abstract:
We evaluated methods to control the spread of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) on our infants' ward during a community outbreak of RSV infection. Methods included isolation and cohorting of infected infants, strict handwashing, use of gowns, and the cohorting of staff to the ill infants. Of 123 infants studied, 36 were admitted with RSV infections. Of the remaining 87 contact infants, eight (19%) acquired nosocomial RSV disease. Three of the eight developed pneumonia and one died. Of the 43 staff members, 24 (56%) became infected and 82% were symptomatic. Four acquired repeated infections within weeks of the initial infection. Studies a year previously had revealed that 45% of contact infants and 42% of the staff had acquired nosocomial RSV infections. Thus, the employed procedures appeared to have decreased the transmission of RSV to infants but not to the staff. Staff may continue to be infected by large droplets from close contact with ill infants or by self-inoculation of contaminated secretions.