BACKGROUND: Our aim was to document how often travel histories were taken and the quality of their content. METHODS: Patients admitted over 2 months to acute medical units of two hospitals in the Northwest of England with a history of fever, rash, diarrhea, vomiting, jaundice, or presenting as "unwell post-travel" were identified. The initial medical clerking was assessed. RESULTS: A total of 132 relevant admissions were identified. A travel history was documented in only 26 patients (19.7%). Of the 16 patients who had traveled, there was no documentation of pretravel advice or of sexual/other activities abroad in 15 (93.8%) and 12 (75.0%) patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There needs to be better awareness and education about travel-related illness and the importance of taking an adequate travel history.
BACKGROUND: Our aim was to document how often travel histories were taken and the quality of their content. METHODS:Patients admitted over 2 months to acute medical units of two hospitals in the Northwest of England with a history of fever, rash, diarrhea, vomiting, jaundice, or presenting as "unwell post-travel" were identified. The initial medical clerking was assessed. RESULTS: A total of 132 relevant admissions were identified. A travel history was documented in only 26 patients (19.7%). Of the 16 patients who had traveled, there was no documentation of pretravel advice or of sexual/other activities abroad in 15 (93.8%) and 12 (75.0%) patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There needs to be better awareness and education about travel-related illness and the importance of taking an adequate travel history.
Authors: Christopher A Taylor; Dianna M Blau; Constance R Diangelo; Wun-Ju Shieh; Sherif R Zaki; Paul M Arguin Journal: J Travel Med Date: 2013 Jan-Feb Impact factor: 8.490