[Evaluation of a hospitalization unit opened during the winter influenza epidemic of 1999-2000].
OBJECTIVE
Last winter, a great many patients with influenza-like infection were admitted to our hospital, leading us to open a specific unit for 6 weeks. We report the evaluation of medical care given to these patients.


METHODS
Useful data for evaluating care to patients presenting respiratory infections were determined beforehand by the retrospective analysis of patients' charts.


RESULTS
Fifty-seven out of 185 admitted patients (31%) had infectious respiratory 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 vaccination had been performed in 28 patients (49%). Before hospitalisation, 30 patients (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.


CONCLUSIONS
Vaccinations in the elderly appear to be poorly utilized; meanwhile, antibiotic treatments, as well as steroid therapy, are overused. Managing epidemic infections requires attention from the public hospital system.
Roger
P M
PM
Service des maladies infectieuses et tropicales, hôpital de l'Archet, route Saint-Antoine de Ginestière, BP 3079, 06202 Nice, France. roger.pm@chu-nice.fr
Eberhartd
P
P
Sola
L
L
Cottalorda
C
C
Caramella
A
A
Tamisier
R
R
Alluni
V
V
Fournier
J P
JP
Bertrand
F
F
Dellamonica
P
P
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D013256:Steroids; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D013256:Steroids