Keywords

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

 

Authors

  1. Kempker-Russell, Mary Kay BSN, RN, MM, CRNA

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to describe one institution's successful program to deal with the many challenges incurred by a pediatric service during the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) season. RSV is a winter phenomenon that appears each year in communities across the globe and results in up to a 60% increase in admissions to children's hospitals and pediatric units. This increase places a huge demand on healthcare institutions, for the census and intensity of illness requires additional qualified pediatric nurses, physicians, and respiratory therapists as well as additional bed space and equipment. This institution developed strategies to cope with RSV, including using work force teams and the continuous quality improvement (CQI) process.