Prevention of nosocomial transmission of respiratory syncytial virus in a newborn nursery.

During three winter seasons prior to 1984-1985 the special care nursery at New England Medical Center experienced respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) epidemics that required closure of the unit. Prior to and during the 1984-1985 winter season, several measures were taken to prevent recurrent nosocomial RSV transmission. In the winters of 1984-1985 and 1985-1986 there were 26 introductions of community-acquired RSV with no transmission of nosocomial cases during 1,688 patient days at risk as compared with 1983-1984 when there were seven cases of nosocomial RSV following six introductions of RSV during 875 patient days at risk (rate = 8 per 1,000 patient days) (P = 0.0016). The institution of many infection control measures including active surveillance, cohorting infected patients, a strict winter visiting policy, and gowning, gloving, and applying mask on contact, was associated with the successful prevention of nosocomial transmission of RSV in this nursery setting.