Burden of Healthcare-Associated Viral Respiratory Infections in Children’s Hospitals

Abstract

HA-VRI rates were substantial but different among 2 children's hospitals. Future studies should examine the effect of HA-VRI and evaluate best practices for preventing such infections.

Association Between Children’s Hospital Visitor Restrictions and Healthcare-Associated Viral Respiratory Infections: A Quasi-Experimental Study

“…Although VRPPs are often limited to the winter months when community incidence of RSV and influenza rises, our data also suggest that seasonal VRPPs can result in unacceptably frequent hospital transmission of respiratory viruses, particularly rhinovirus/enterovirus, during nonwinter months. A similar trend has been found in other pediatric studies [1,5,6], which demonstrates the high burden of HA-rhinovirus infections. Rhinoviruses and enteroviruses are often benign in otherwise healthy children.…”

“…Healthcare-associated (HA) viral respiratory infections (VRIs) are diagnosed frequently in children's hospitals [1] and are associated with increased morbidity, mortality rates, and healthcare costs [2]. Nearly 90% of children's hospitals implement visitor restriction policies and practices (VRPPs) [3], such as restricting the number of visitors, visitation by other children, and visitation by people with VRI symptoms.…”

Sibling visits and viral infection in the neonatal intensive care unit

“…In a joint US-Canadian study, the hospital-acquired NICU respiratory virus infection rate was 0.23 per 1,000 patient-days (95%CI: 0.12-0.42 per 1,000 patientdays). 15 The infection rate can be affected by a major outbreak, which did not occur during the study period. Our infection prevention policy emphasized not bringing pathogens into the NICU by restricting visitors with suspected viral illness, encouraging sick leave for ill health-care workers, and enhancing the immunization program.…”

“…The present nosocomial viral infection rate was very low at 0.068 per 1,000 patient‐days. In a joint US–Canadian study, the hospital‐acquired NICU respiratory virus infection rate was 0.23 per 1,000 patient‐days (95%CI: 0.12–0.42 per 1,000 patient‐days) . The infection rate can be affected by a major outbreak, which did not occur during the study period.…”

Molecular and epidemiologic investigation of a rhinovirus outbreak in a neonatal intensive care unit

“…1,2 In neonates, HRV infections may be associated with upper and lower respiratory symptoms and apnea. 2 Even though HRV is a frequent cause of pediatric viral respiratory HAIs, 2 little is currently known about HRV nosocomial transmission in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). [3][4][5] We performed a molecular and epidemiologic investigation of an HRV outbreak at the Montreal Children's Hospital (MCH) NICU.…”