Nosocomial respiratory syncytial viral infections. Should gowns and masks be used?
C. B. Hall and R. G. Douglas Jr
The efficacy of infection control procedures utilizing gowns and masks in
the control of nosocomial respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections was
evaluated by comparing the rate of nosocomial RSV infections in infants and
ward personnel during two sequential periods when gowns and masks were used
(period 1) and not used (period 2). All patients (162) and staff (36) on
our infants' ward were examined for signs of respiratory infection and had
nasal washes obtained for viral isolation every two to four days for two
months. Nosocomial RSV infection was identified in a total of 19 infants.
Eight of these occurred in period 1 for a nosocomial infection rate of 32%
of contact infants who were hospitalized for seven or more days. In
comparison, 11 (41%) of the contact infants hospitalized for seven or more
days in period 2 became infected. These findings suggest that the
additional routine use of masks and gowns does not result in measurable
benefit in controlling the nosocomial spread of RSV infection to infants or
to ward personnel.
