Respiratory syncytial virus and its prophylaxis with palivizumab: exploring nurses' knowledge.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of lower respiratory tract infections in children. Premature infants and infants with underlying health issues are at increased risk of developing severe RSV infection. Prophylactic treatment with palivizumab reduces their risk of hospitalisation.

Aim: To measure nurses' knowledge of RSV and RSV prophylaxis and explore their perceived potential barriers to palivizumab administration to children in the acute hospital setting.

Method: A non-experimental, quantitative fixed study design was adopted. A 17-item online questionnaire was used to survey nurses caring for children under the age of 1 year in an acute children's teaching hospital.

Results: Questionnaires were completed by 144 nurses, giving a response rate of 53%. Respondents demonstrated an adequate knowledge of RSV and its prophylaxis but also some knowledge deficits, notably about the eligibility criteria for palivizumab. The most cited perceived potential barriers to palivizumab administration were uncertainty about which infants are eligible for it, forgetting to check whether a patient is due to receive a dose, parental refusal for treatment because their child is ill, and not knowing the contraindications of palivizumab.

Conclusion: Front-line hospital staff have a crucial role in identifying infants eligible for prophylactic RSV treatment, in initiating prophylaxis in a timely manner, in avoiding missed or delayed palivizumab doses during infants' hospital stays, and in educating families about the importance of RSV prevention.