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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
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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

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