• FluTrackers.com Inc. does not provide medical advice. Information on this web site is collected from various internet resources, and the FluTrackers board of directors makes no warranty to the safety, efficacy, correctness or completeness of the information posted on this site by any author or poster. The information collated here is for instructional and/or discussion purposes only and is NOT intended to diagnose or treat any disease, illness, or other medical condition. Every individual reader or poster should seek advice from their personal physician/healthcare practitioner before considering or using any interventions that are discussed on this website. By continuing to access this website you agree to consult your personal physican before using any interventions posted on this website, and you agree to hold harmless FluTrackers.com Inc., the board of directors, the members, and all authors and posters for any effects from use of any medication, supplement, vitamin or other substance, device, intervention, etc. mentioned in posts on this website, or other internet venues referenced in posts on this website.
  • We are not asking for any donations. Do not donate to any entity who says they are raising funds for us.

Improving Influenza Testing and Treatment in Hospitalized Children

tetano

Editor, Senior Moderator
Hosp Pediatr. 2018 Aug 14. pii: hpeds.2017-0223. doi: 10.1542/hpeds.2017-0223. [Epub ahead of print]
[h=1]Improving Influenza Testing and Treatment in Hospitalized Children.[/h] Murphy A[SUP]1[/SUP], Lindegren ML[SUP]2,[/SUP][SUP]3[/SUP], Schaffner W[SUP]3[/SUP], Johnson D[SUP]2[/SUP], Riley L[SUP]2[/SUP], Chappell JD[SUP]2[/SUP], Doyle JD[SUP]2[/SUP], Moen AK[SUP]2[/SUP], Saxton GP[SUP]2[/SUP], Shah RP[SUP]2[/SUP], Williams DJ[SUP]4[/SUP].
[h=3]Author information[/h]

[h=3]Abstract[/h] [h=4]OBJECTIVES:[/h] National guidelines recommend influenza testing for children hospitalized with influenza-like illness (ILI) during influenza season and treatment of those with confirmed influenza. Using quality improvement methods, we sought to increase influenza testing and treatment of children admitted to our hospital medicine service with ILI from 65% to 90% during the 2014-2015 influenza season.
[h=4]METHODS:[/h] We targeted several key drivers using multiple plan-do-study-act cycles. Interventions included awareness modules, biweekly flyers, and failure tracking. ILI admissions (fever plus respiratory symptoms) were reviewed weekly once surveillance data revealed elevated influenza activity. Appropriate testing and treatment of ILI was defined as influenza testing and/or treatment within 24 hours of admission unless a known cause other than influenza was present. We used statistical process control charts to track progress using established quality improvement methods. Appropriate testing and treatment was also assessed in the 2016-2017 influenza season by using similar methods, although no new interventions were introduced.
[h=4]RESULTS:[/h] For the 2014-2015 season, appropriate testing and treatment increased from a baseline mean of 65% to 91% within 3 months. For the 2016-2017 season, appropriate testing and treatment remained at a mean of 80% throughout the influenza season.
[h=4]CONCLUSIONS:[/h] Appropriate influenza testing and treatment increased to 90% in children with ILI during the 2014-2015 season. Improvements were sustained in a subsequent influenza season. Our initiative improved recognition of influenza and likely increased treatment opportunities. Future work should be focused on wider implementation and further reducing variation.
Copyright ? 2018 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.


PMID: 30108136 DOI: 10.1542/hpeds.2017-0223
 
Back
Top Bottom