Keywords

Ambulatory care, Premature chronic lung disease, Respiratory Syncytial Virus

 

Authors

  1. Coffman, Sherrilyn DNS, APN, CPN, CCM
  2. Peck, Jacqueline BSN, RNC, CCM
  3. Rasmussen, Carolyn Sue ADN, RN

ABSTRACT

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) can be devastating to premature infants and children with chronic lung disease. Palivizumab (Synagis) is a monoclonal antibody that is administered monthly by injection to prevent RSV infection in infants at high risk. This article describes a nurse-run ambulatory clinic to provide RSV prophylaxis. Coordination with other agencies, including community neonatal intensive care units, was essential to the clinic's success. For each of its first 2 years of operation, 24 infants and their families attended the clinic once each month for 5 months throughout the RSV season. Outcomes for this patient population were compared to outcomes reported in the literature, and include reduced RSV-related hospitalizations and reduced days of hospitalization.