TY - JOUR
T1 - Impacts of rapid flu clinic services at an emergency department during the pandemic flu season
AU - Shih, Hsin I.
AU - Ho, Tzong Shiann
AU - Chang, Chia Ming
AU - Hsu, Hsiang Chin
AU - Wang, Shih Min
AU - Liu, Ching Chuan
AU - Ko, Wen Chien
AU - Wu, Yi Hui
AU - Chiu, Yen Ling
AU - Sheu, Bor Shyang
AU - Chi, Chih Hsien
PY - 2012/3
Y1 - 2012/3
N2 - Background: We performed an assessment of an independent rapid flu clinic service (RFCS) unit, which was set up outside the emergency department (ED) during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic season. The unit was able to relieve the crowding of regular ambulatory and emergency services. Methods: Between August and December 2009, a total of 6,152 patients with influenza-like illness were enrolled in this observational retrospective study. Patients with positive influenza tests were interviewed to evaluate the efficiency of RFCS. Results: The mean length of stay (LOS) for the RFCS was 50 minutes, which was shorter than the LOS for ambulatory services (1 hour) and regular ED services (3.5 hours). Overall, 88% of patients were satisfied with the RFCS. Of 6,152 patients receiving flu tests, 1,235 (20%) had a positive result. Fever (odds ratio [OR], 4.28, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.11-5.89), fever combined with cough and sore throat (OR, 2.52; 95% CI: 2.18-2.92), fever combined with sore throat (OR, 2.42; 95% CI: 2.13-2.75), history of contacting confirmed flu patients within 7 days (OR, 2.40; 95% CI: 2.07-2.78), fever combined with cough (OR, 2.19; 95% CI: 1.92-2.47), sore throat (OR, 2.03, 95% CI: 1.79-2.30); and cough (OR, 1.91, 95% CI: 1.69-2.17) were significantly associated with positive influenza tests. Conclusion: Setting up the RFSC was beneficial to health care facilities during a pandemic flu season.
AB - Background: We performed an assessment of an independent rapid flu clinic service (RFCS) unit, which was set up outside the emergency department (ED) during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic season. The unit was able to relieve the crowding of regular ambulatory and emergency services. Methods: Between August and December 2009, a total of 6,152 patients with influenza-like illness were enrolled in this observational retrospective study. Patients with positive influenza tests were interviewed to evaluate the efficiency of RFCS. Results: The mean length of stay (LOS) for the RFCS was 50 minutes, which was shorter than the LOS for ambulatory services (1 hour) and regular ED services (3.5 hours). Overall, 88% of patients were satisfied with the RFCS. Of 6,152 patients receiving flu tests, 1,235 (20%) had a positive result. Fever (odds ratio [OR], 4.28, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.11-5.89), fever combined with cough and sore throat (OR, 2.52; 95% CI: 2.18-2.92), fever combined with sore throat (OR, 2.42; 95% CI: 2.13-2.75), history of contacting confirmed flu patients within 7 days (OR, 2.40; 95% CI: 2.07-2.78), fever combined with cough (OR, 2.19; 95% CI: 1.92-2.47), sore throat (OR, 2.03, 95% CI: 1.79-2.30); and cough (OR, 1.91, 95% CI: 1.69-2.17) were significantly associated with positive influenza tests. Conclusion: Setting up the RFSC was beneficial to health care facilities during a pandemic flu season.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84857783194&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84857783194&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ajic.2011.03.006
DO - 10.1016/j.ajic.2011.03.006
M3 - Article
C2 - 21775019
AN - SCOPUS:84857783194
SN - 0196-6553
VL - 40
SP - 165
EP - 169
JO - American Journal of Infection Control
JF - American Journal of Infection Control
IS - 2
ER -