IMPACT OF AN INFECTION-CONTROL PROGRAM IN A SPECIALIZED PRESCHOOL

Background: The purpose of this study was to design and implement a co mprehensive infection control program and measure its effects on the n umber and types of infectious illnesses experienced by children attend ing a specialized preschool program. Methods: Participants in the stud y were children with Down syndrome enrolled in a school-based early in tervention program. The ages of the children ranged from 6 weeks to 5 years. Through a series of parental questionnaires, the number and typ es 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, wit h an emphasis on toys. Compliance with these measures was monitored an d recorded. Results: During the interventional year the median number of total illnesses/child/month decreased significantly from the baseli ne year (0.70 vs 0.53, p < 0.05), with a trend toward a decrease in th e number of respiratory illnesses (0.67 vs 0.42, p < 0.07). Significan t 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 comprehens ive educational and environmental infection control program in a day c are setting.