Developing a synagis clinic for respiratory syncytial virus prophylaxis.
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.
Coffman
S
S
Sierra Health Services, Las Vegas, N.V. USA. scoffman@sierrahealth.com
Peck
J
J
Rasmussen
C S
CS
D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019090:Case Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D009505:Nevada; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D000069455:Palivizumab; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000069455:Palivizumab