Impact of an infection control program in a specialized preschool

Krilov, Leonard R.; Barone, Stephen R.; Mandel, Francine S.; Cusack, Timothy M.; Gaber, Donna J.; Rubino, Joseph R.

« Previous Next »AJIC: American Journal of Infection Control
Volume 24, Issue 3 , Pages 167-173, June 1996

Impact of an infection control program in a specialized preschool☆

Leonard R. Krilov, MD
- Reprint requests: Leonard R. Krilov, MD, Department of Pediatrics, North Shore University Hospital-Cornell University Medical College, 865 Northern Blvd., Great Neck NY 11021.
- Department of Pediatrics, North Shore University Hospital Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, N.Y., USA
Stephen R. Barone, MD
- Department of Pediatrics, North Shore University Hospital Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, N.Y., USA
Francine S. Mandel, PhD
- Department of Research, Division of Biostatistics, North Shore University Hospital Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, N.Y., USA
Timothy M. Cusack, MS
- Reckitt and Colman, Inc., Montvale, N.J., USA
Donna J. Gaber, BA, MT
- Reckitt and Colman, Inc., Montvale, N.J., USA
Joseph R. Rubino, MA
- Reckitt and Colman, Inc., Montvale, N.J., USA

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to design and implement a comprehensive infection control program and measure its effects on the number and types of infectious illnesses experienced by children attending a specialized preschool program.

Methods: Participants in the study were children with Down syndrome enrolled in a school-based early intervention program. The ages of the children ranged from 6 weeks to 5 years. Through a series of parental questionnaires, the number and types of infections in the children were chronicled for a year before and a year after the implementation of an infection control intervention program. Interventions included infection control lectures, handouts, posters, and attention to environmental cleaning and disinfection, with an emphasis on toys. Compliance with these measures was monitored and recorded.

Results: During the interventional year the median number of total illnesses/child/month decreased significantly from the baseline year (0.70 vs 0.53 p < 0.05), with a trend toward a decrease in the number of respiratory illnesses (0.67 vs 0.42, p < 0.07). Significantly decreases were also seen for the median number of physician visits (0.50 vs 0.33, p < 0.05), courses of antibiotics administered (0.33 vs 0.28, p < 0.05), and days of school missed as a result of respiratory illness (0.75 vs 0.40, p < 0.05).

Conclusions: This study demonstrates a decrease in infection rates with the implementation of a comprehensive educational and environmental infection control program in a day care setting.

No full text is available. To read the body of this article, please view the PDF online.