title: Resource impact of managing suspected Middle East respiratory syndrome patients in a UK teaching hospital.
abstract: Clinical challenges exist in the management of hospitalized patients returning to the UK with potential Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection, particularly with its clinical overlap with influenza, as demonstrated in this case-series and cost-analysis review of returning Hajj pilgrims. These patients were hospitalized with acute febrile respiratory illness, initially managed as potential MERS-CoV infections, but were eventually diagnosed with influenza. Additional costs were small, yet enhanced infection prevention measures created significant burdens on isolation rooms and staff time. Planning for predictable events such as Hajj is important for resource management. Here, in-house MERS-CoV diagnostic testing would have facilitated earlier diagnosis and discharge.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Unit, University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Veater
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Unit, University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Unit, University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK; Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Stephenson
authors.affiliation: Clinical Microbiology, University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kirk-Granger
authors.affiliation: Clinical Microbiology, University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Baxter
authors.affiliation: Clinical Microbiology, University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cannon
authors.affiliation: Public Health Birmingham, National Infection Service, Public Health England, Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Public Health Birmingham, National Infection Service, Public Health England, Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Atabani
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Unit, University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK; Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sahota
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Unit, University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK; Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Unit, University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK; Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wiselka
authors.affiliation: Clinical Microbiology, University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK; Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK. Electronic address: julian.tang@uhl-tr.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019090:Case Management / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D018352:Coronavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006295:Health Resources; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014195:Travel; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Influenza; Isolation; Middle East respiratory syndrome; Personal protective equipment; Polymerase chain reaction