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Cohorting of infants with respiratory syncytial virus
J A Doherty1, D S Brookfield, J Gray
1North Staffordshire Hospital Trust.
Insights
Cohorting infants and young children with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in pediatric wards minimized nosocomial infections. This strategy also improved clinical management and freed up cubicles for other infectious disease patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Hospital Epidemiology
Background:
- Acute respiratory illnesses in infants and young children often necessitate hospitalization.
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of acute respiratory illness in this population.
- Controlling nosocomial infections is crucial in pediatric wards.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of cohorting RSV-positive patients on pediatric wards.
- To assess the impact of cohorting on clinical management and resource utilization.
- To determine the rate of nosocomial RSV infections in a cohorted setting.
Main Methods:
- Nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected from infants and young children with acute respiratory illness.
- Rapid diagnostic testing was performed to identify RSV-positive patients.
- RSV-positive patients were cohorted into dedicated bays on pediatric wards over two winter periods.
Main Results:
- A total of 347 RSV-positive patients were included in the cohort over two winter seasons.
- No nosocomial RSV infections were identified in the first winter period.
- Two cases of nosocomial RSV infection were identified in the second winter period.
- Cohorting facilitated clinical management, including high-dependency care, and optimized cubicle usage.
Conclusions:
- Cohorting RSV-positive pediatric patients is an effective strategy for minimizing nosocomial infections.
- This approach enhances clinical management and improves the efficient use of hospital resources.
- Further research may explore long-term impacts and variations in different healthcare settings.
Abstract:
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.