Objectives: Palivizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), is the only existent immunoprophylaxis therapy for prevention of serious lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV in infants (up to 2 years of age), particularly in those who meet high-risk criteria (preterm infants and/or those with bronchopulmonary or congenital heart disease). In our region, the monthly injections are not given at the hospital but by private pediatricians during the epidemic season. We aimed to assess the influence of an educational and personalized support of preterm infants treated with Palivizumab on patient compliance during the last season.
Methods: A three-level educational intervention was conducted: the parents were advised in the neonatology units, then at the hospital pharmacy where the treatment was delivered, and finally by their referent pediatrician. We evaluated the impact of this intervention by measuring patient compliance, defined by two criteria, and by measuring the rate of rehospitalization for RSV bronchiolitis. We compared these results to those of the previous season (2011-2012) in which no interventional program was conducted.
Results: Compliance was better in the group of patients followed (2012-2013); 59.7% of them received all the palivizumab doses, while only 32.9% of the infants not followed received all doses. The number of injections given at appropriate intervals remained stable between the two groups and no significant difference was found in the rate of RSV bronchiolitis rehospitalizations.
Conclusion: This educational intervention program, coordinated by doctors and pharmacists, is associated with improved treatment compliance in high-risk of RSV bronchiolitis infants. To optimize such a care program, we have planned to set up and then evaluate a call center procedure involving extensive counseling for parents and reminder telephone calls.
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