Animal-Assisted Visitation Program Chlorhexidine Trial
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, Clostridium Difficile, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
About this trial
This is an interventional prevention trial for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus focused on measuring therapy dog, canine, animal assisted intervention, chlorhexidine, child
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Children between the ages of 3 and 17 years
- Cleared by physician to participate in a hospital-based animal-assisted visitation program session with any enrolled dog
Exclusion Criteria:
- Children who report sensitivity to chlorhexidine products
- Children who report allergy to dogs or sensitivity to dog allergen
Sites / Locations
- Johns Hopkins
- Washington University in St. Louis
- Children's Hospital of PhiladelphiaRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
No Intervention
Experimental
Experimental
Control
CHX Intervention A
CHX Intervention B
Dog-handler teams will follow established hospital and therapy dog program guidelines for infection control with no changes for eight sessions. Participants enrolled in the session will derive their Arm assignment from the dog-handler team with which they interact.
Dog-handler teams will follow a modified protocol for infection control, with Treatment A first for four sessions, and cross-over to Treatment B for four sessions. Participants enrolled in the session will derive their Arm assignment from the dog-handler team with which they interact. Treatment A consists of a pre-session shampoo with a commercial veterinary chlorhexidine-based product (2-4% chlorhexidine) within 24 hours prior to the session, and wiping with a chlorhexidine-impregnated cloth (2-4% chlorhexidine) at arrival at the session and every 20 minutes during the session, or between participants if the flow of participants is structured in a way that allows this (such as visits from one room to the next to visit individual patients).
Dog-handler teams will follow a modified protocol for infection control, with Treatment B first for four sessions, and cross-over to Treatment A for four sessions. Participants enrolled in the session will derive their Arm assignment from the dog-handler team with which they interact. Treatment B will consist of the same pre-session shampoo with a commercial veterinary chlorhexidine-based product (2-4% chlorhexidine), with a single wipe with a chlorhexidine-impregnated cloth (2-4% chlorhexidine) at arrival. This treatment will depend on the residual activity of chlorhexidine throughout the visit.