Cohorting of infants with respiratory syncytial virus

During two winter periods (1994-1995 and 1995-1996), nasopharyngeal aspirates were obtained from infants and young children with an acute respiratory illness, after initial assessment in an area with six cubicles which serves as an admissions unit. Aspirates were sent for rapid diagnostic testing. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) positive patients were cohorted into two six-bedded bays on the paediatric wards. Over the two successive winter periods studied, 347 RSV positive patients were assigned to the cohort. No nosocomial infections were identified during the first winter; in the second, two were identified. Cohorting at admission eased clinical management, with one area used for high-dependency care and cubicles being freed for children with other infectious diseases. Nosocomial infection was minimized.