title: Decreasing influenza impact in lodges: 1997-2000 Calgary Regional Health Authority.
abstract: Influenza causes high morbidity and hospitalization rates in residents of seniors lodges, I causing increased pressure on emergency departments and hospital beds every winter. This quasi-experimental study assessed the prevention of influenza outbreaks and their consequences in Calgary lodges. A multidisciplinary team worked to improve communication between health professionals, increase resident and staff immunization coverage, obtain weights and creatinines prior to influenza season, and facilitate amantadine prophylaxis during influenza A outbreaks. We had an increase in standing orders for amantadine and up to 56% of residents from one lodge had documented creatinine levels. Amantadine was administered to residents within two days of outbreak notification. Influenza morbidity in lodge outbreaks decreased from a rate of 37% to 9% over the three years and hospitalization rates decreased from 9% to 1%. We recommend that other regions consider a similar approach to decreasing influenza morbidity and hospitalization in lodge residents.
authors.affiliation: Calgary Regional Health Authority, Calgary, AB.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McLeod
authors.forename: W W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Lau
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000416:Alberta / Q000453:epidemiology; D000547:Amantadine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control; D006302:Health Services Research; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000639:trends; D016852:Housing for the Elderly / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D011159:Population Surveillance; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011292:Premedication
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000547:Amantadine