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Respiratory illnesses present unique problems in pediatric care facilities
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ATLANTA — Conducting laboratory tests that properly identify respiratory infections and implementing appropriate infection control measures are necessary steps to preventing outbreaks in pediatric long-term care facilities, data presented here at the 2010 International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases indicate.
An outbreak of respiratory disease at a pediatric long-term care facility prompted the New York State Department of Health and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to investigate. The researchers reviewed laboratory results and conducted onsite assessments.
Fifty-seven percent of 136 children residing on four floors and 11% of about 500 staff members experienced respiratory health problems during a 6-week period in the summer of 2008. Forty-five percent of affected patients developed symptom onset within the first week, according to the researchers. Nineteen patients had laboratory-confirmed parainfluenza virus type 1, and one patient had respiratory syncytial virus. Twenty-one patients were hospitalized, although no deaths occurred.
Prevention protocols called for quick laboratory testing, contact and droplet precautionary guidelines and suspension of school and other activities. These guidelines were not stopped until 7 days after resolution of the facility’s last symptomatic case. Negative laboratory tests were not required to discontinue preventive practices.
The researchers said identifying the causal agent aided in the development of proper infection control measures during the outbreak. They concluded that prearranged contracts with laboratories should remain a priority for pediatric long-term care facilities. Initiating prevention efforts that targeted multibedded rooms and shared spaces, as opposed to individual patients, may have also increased the chances of preventing further infection. – by Melissa Foster
For more information:
- Southwick KL. #54. Presented at: Presented at: 2010 International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases; July 11-14, 2010; Atlanta.