Assessing Healthcare Utilization for Influenza-like Illness at an Emergency Department and a Student Health Service during the 2009-2010 H1N1 Pandemic.
Estimates of healthcare utilization during an influenza pandemic are needed in order to plan for the allocation of staff and resources. The aim of this study was to assess the number, age, and arrival time of patients with influenza-like-illness (ILI), and associations between their symptoms during the 2009-2010 H1N1 pandemic. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of electronic health records from the student health service (SHS) and an emergency department (ED) in Morgantown, West Virginia, between January 2009 and December 2010. During the 2009-2010 H1N1 pandemic, patient arrivals at SHS and ED varied over the week. SHS patients arrived early in the week and primarily in the afternoon. ED patient arrivals were more evenly distributed, with busier evenings and weekends. Those with fever were more likely to experience cough, sore throat, vomiting/nausea, chills, congestion, headache, and body-ache. These results can assist health professionals in preparing for an influenza pandemic.
Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA.
Ruchi
R
Bhandari
Biostatistics and Epidemiology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA.
Tara A
TA
Hartley
Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA.
William G
WG
Lindsley
Global Health Program, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA.
Melanie A
MA
Fisher
WELL WVU-The Students' Center of Health, Student Health Service, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA.
Jan E
JE
Palmer
ambulatory care; electronic health records; emergency service; influenza; signs and symptoms; student health services