Lessons from a specific department for epidemic influenza virus infection

Purpose. - Last winter, a great many patients with influenza-like infection were admitted to our hospital, leading us to open a specific unit for 6 we eks. We report the evaluation of medical care given to these patients. Methods. - Useful data for evaluating care to patients presenting respirato ry infections were determined beforehand by the retrospective analysis of p atients' charts. Results. - Fifty-seven out of 185 admitted patients (31%) had infectious re spiratory symptoms. The mean age was 81 years. Six cases of influenza virus infection, 43 cases of viral bronchitis, six cases of bacterial pneumonia, one superinfected asthma and one septic shock were diagnosed. All patients presented with cardiac and/or chronic pulmonary diseases. Influenza vaccin ation had been performed in 28 patients (49%). Before hospitalisation, 30 p atients (52%) had received antibiotics, and 17 (30%) a steroid therapy. In contrast, only 12 patients (21%) have received anti-infective agents during the hospitalisation. Twenty-five patients were able to go back home and a nursing home was required for 27 patients (47%); five patients died. Tools for improving this specific department in a public hospital are discussed. Conclusion. - Vaccinations in the elderly appear to be poorly utilized; mea nwhile, antibiotic treatments, as well as steroid therapy, are overused. Ma naging epidemic infections requires attention from the public hospital syst em. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.