Journal article
Visitor restriction policies and practices in children's hospitals in North America: results of an Emerging Infections Network Survey
Infection control and hospital epidemiology, Vol.39(8), pp.968-971
08/2018
DOI: 10.1017/ice.2018.128
PMID: 29925447
Abstract
To delineate the timing of, indications for, and assessment of visitor restriction policies and practices (VRPP) in pediatric facilities.
An electronic survey to characterize VRPP in pediatric healthcare facilities.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America Emerging Infections Network surveyed 334 pediatric infectious disease consultants via an electronic link. Descriptive analyses were performed.
A total of 170 eligible respondents completed a survey between 12 July and August 15, 2016, for a 51% response rate. Of the 104 respondents (61%) familiar with their VRPP, 92 (88%) had VRPP in all inpatient units. The respondents reported age-based VRPP (74%) symptom-based VRPP (97%), and outbreak-specific VRPP (75%). Symptom-based VRPP were reported to be seasonal by 24% of respondents and to be implemented year-round according to 70% of respondents. According to the respondents, communication of VRPP to families occurred at admission (87%) and through signage in care areas (64%), while communication of VRPP to staff occurred by email (77%), by meetings (55%), and by signage in staff-only areas (49%). Respondents reported that enforcement of VRPP was the responsibility of nursing (80%), registration clerks (58%), unit clerks (53%), the infection prevention team (31%), or clinicians 16 (16%). They also reported that the effectiveness of VRPP was assessed through active surveillance of hospital acquired respiratory infections (62%), through active surveillance of healthcare worker exposures (28%) and through patient/family satisfaction assessments (29%).
Visitor restriction policies and practices vary in scope, implementation, enforcement, and physician awareness in pediatric facilities. A prospective multisite evaluation of outcomes would facilitate the adoption of uniform guidance.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Visitor restriction policies and practices in children's hospitals in North America: results of an Emerging Infections Network Survey
- Creators
- Alice L Pong - Rady Children's Hospital-San DiegoSusan E Beekmann - University of IowaMekleet M Faltamo - Florida State UniversityPhilip M Polgreen - University of IowaAndi L Shane - Emory UniversityInfectious Diseases Society of America Emerging Infections Network
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Infection control and hospital epidemiology, Vol.39(8), pp.968-971
- DOI
- 10.1017/ice.2018.128
- PMID
- 29925447
- NLM abbreviation
- Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol
- ISSN
- 0899-823X
- eISSN
- 1559-6834
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 08/2018
- Academic Unit
- Infectious Diseases; Epidemiology; Injury Prevention Research Center; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984359879102771
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