Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-vdxz6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T15:10:47.506Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Isolation Usage in a Pediatric Hospital

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Mee-Hai Marie Kim ,
Cathy Mindorff ,
Mary Lou Patrick ,
Ronald Gold  and
E. Lee Ford-Jones
Mee-Hai Marie Kim
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
Cathy Mindorff
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
Mary Lou Patrick
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
Ronald Gold
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
E. Lee Ford-Jones*
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
*
The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, CanadaM5G 1X8
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

In a prospective 12-month study at a university-affiliated pediatric hospital, isolation usage was quantitated by ward/service, season, isolation category and type of infection (community-acquired vs nosocomial). Such information may be helpful in designing hospitals, recognizing time utilization of the pediatric infection control nurse, and defining educational and isolation needs. Hospitals with multiple bed rooms and inadequate numbers of single rooms may be unable to meet current federal isolation guidelines.

The mean number of isolation days was 153 per 1000 patient days or 15.3% of bed days used. This ranged from 18.5% on the infant/toddler/preschool medical ward to 2.8% on child/teenage orthopedic surgery. Isolation requirements vary seasonally and rose to 32% in winter on one ward. Proportional frequencies of isolation category included enteric—29%, protective—28%, strict—16%, barrier (contact)—10%, multiply resistant organism (MRO)—8%, wound—5%, pregnant women (careful handwashing)—3%, blood and body fluid precautions—1%. Isolation of patients with and contacts of nosocomial infections account for 32% of isolation usage. During one third of the 365-day year, the hospital is unable to provide adequate numbers of single rooms for one to 20 patients.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 8 , Issue 5 , May 1987 , pp. 195 - 199
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1987

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Garner, JS, Simmons, BP: CDC guideline for isolation precautions in hospitals. Infect Control 1983; 4(suppl):245–325.Google ScholarPubMed
2.Losos, J: Infection Control Guidelines for Isolation and Precaution Techniques. Bureau of Infection Control Health Protection Board and Health Services Directorate, Health Services and Promotion Branch, Ottawa, 1985.Google Scholar
3.Garner, JS, Kaiser, AB: How often is isolation needed? Am J Nurs 1972; 72:733–737.Google Scholar
4.Kotloff, KL, Losonsky, GA, Shindledecker, CL: Risk factors for nosocomial rotavirus acquisition. Abstract #450. Presented at 25th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, Minneapolis, MN, September 30, 1985.Google Scholar
5.Frank, AL, Taber, LH, Wells, CR, et al: Patterns of shedding of myxoviruses and paramyxoviruses in children. J Infect Dis 1981; 144:433–441.Google Scholar
6.Robertson, BA: The child in hospital. S Afr Med J 1977; 51:749–752.Google Scholar
7.Dalton, R: The assessment and enhancement of development of a child being raised in reverse isolation. J Am Acad Child Pyschiatry 1981; 20:611–622.Google Scholar
8.Chapin, CV: Sources and Modes of Infection, ed 2. New York, John Wiley and Sons Inc, 1916.Google Scholar
9.Preston, GA, Larson, EL, Stamm, WE: The effect of private isolation rooms on patient care practices, colonization and infection in an intensive care unit. Am J Med 1981; 70:641–645.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10.Maki, DG, Alvarado, CJ, Hassemer, CA, et al: Relation of the inanimate hospital environment to endemic nosocomial infection. N Engl J Med 1982; 307:1562–1566.Google Scholar
11.Wenzel, RP, Deal, EC, Hendley, JO: Hospital-acquired viral respiratory illness on a pediatric ward. Pediatrics 1977; 60:367–371.Google Scholar
12.McKhann, CF, Steeger, A, Long, AP: Hospital infections. A survey of the problem. Am J Dis Child 1938; 55:579–599.Google Scholar
13.Harries, EHR: Infection and its control in children's wards. Lancet 1935; 2:173–178.Google Scholar
14.Cooper, RG, Sumner, C: Hospital infection data from a children's hospital. Med J Aust 1970; 1:1110–1113.Google Scholar
15.Anderson, JD, Bonner, M, Scheifele, DW, et al: Lack of nosocomial spread of varicella in a pediatric hospital with negative pressure ventilated patient rooms. Infect Control 1985; 6:120–121.Google Scholar
16.Bartzokas, CA, Paton, JH, Gibson, MF, et al: Control and eradication of methicillin-resistant S aureus on a surgical unit. N Engl J Med 1984; 311:1422–1425.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
17.Hall, CB, Douglas, RG: Nosocomial respiratory syncytial virus infections: Should gowns and masks be used? Am J Dis Child 1981; 135:512–515.Google Scholar
18.Donowitz, LG: Failure of the overgown to prevent nosocomial infection in a pediatric intensive care unit. Pediatrics 1986; 77:35–38.Google Scholar