Laurina O Williams1, Nancy J Kupka2, Stephen P Schmaltz3, Stacey Barrett2, Timothy M Uyeki4, Daniel B Jernigan4. 1. Centre for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, MS G-25, Atlanta, GA 30333, United States. Electronic address: low1@cdc.gov. 2. Department of Health Services Research, Division of Healthcare Quality Evaluation, The Joint Commission, One Rennaisance Boulevard, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181, United States. 3. Center for Data Management and Analysis, Division of Healthcare Quality Evaluation, The Joint Commission, One Rennaisance Boulevard, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181, United States. 4. Office of Infectious Diseases, NCIRD, Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30333, United States.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) can be used at the point-of-care and are often the only influenza tests readily available in outpatient facilities. OBJECTIVES: To determine the use of RIDTs and antiviral prescription practices in outpatient facilities. STUDY DESIGN: Surveys were mailed to U.S. physician's offices, emergency departments, and community health centers in 2008 (pre-2009 H1N1 pandemic) and 2010 (post-2009 H1N1 pandemic). The 2010 survey included questions to evaluate changes in testing and treatment practices among various risk groups subsequent to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. RESULTS: In both surveys, respondents using RIDTs relied on RIDT results to guide prescribing antiviral medications. Greater than two-thirds of these respondents reported prescribing antiviral medications both pre- and post-pandemic for patients within 48h of onset of flu-like symptoms with a positive RIDT (69% pre-pandemic; 67% post-pandemic). After the pandemic (2010 survey), outpatient providers also reported prescribing antivirals to those with flu-like symptoms for 31% of children <2 years, 23% of children 2-5 years, 37% of pregnant patients, and 74% of other patients at high risk; while these figures were higher than pre-pandemic, they represent a failure to use CDC guidelines to prescribe antivirals for patients with suspected influenza who are at higher risk for complications. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians in outpatient facilities often relied on RIDT findings to aid in making antiviral treatment decisions; however their treatment practices were not always consistent with CDC guidelines. The use of RIDTs and antiviral medicines were influenced by the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.
BACKGROUND: Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) can be used at the point-of-care and are often the only influenza tests readily available in outpatient facilities. OBJECTIVES: To determine the use of RIDTs and antiviral prescription practices in outpatient facilities. STUDY DESIGN: Surveys were mailed to U.S. physician's offices, emergency departments, and community health centers in 2008 (pre-2009 H1N1 pandemic) and 2010 (post-2009 H1N1 pandemic). The 2010 survey included questions to evaluate changes in testing and treatment practices among various risk groups subsequent to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. RESULTS: In both surveys, respondents using RIDTs relied on RIDT results to guide prescribing antiviral medications. Greater than two-thirds of these respondents reported prescribing antiviral medications both pre- and post-pandemic for patients within 48h of onset of flu-like symptoms with a positive RIDT (69% pre-pandemic; 67% post-pandemic). After the pandemic (2010 survey), outpatient providers also reported prescribing antivirals to those with flu-like symptoms for 31% of children <2 years, 23% of children 2-5 years, 37% of pregnant patients, and 74% of other patients at high risk; while these figures were higher than pre-pandemic, they represent a failure to use CDC guidelines to prescribe antivirals for patients with suspected influenza who are at higher risk for complications. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians in outpatient facilities often relied on RIDT findings to aid in making antiviral treatment decisions; however their treatment practices were not always consistent with CDC guidelines. The use of RIDTs and antiviral medicines were influenced by the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.
Authors: Ashley L Fowlkes; Andrea Steffens; Carrie Reed; Jonathan L Temte; Angela P Campbell Journal: Open Forum Infect Dis Date: 2019-04-26 Impact factor: 3.835
Authors: Rebekah J Stewart; Brendan Flannery; Jessie R Chung; Manjusha Gaglani; Michael Reis; Richard K Zimmerman; Mary Patricia Nowalk; Lisa Jackson; Michael L Jackson; Arnold S Monto; Emily T Martin; Edward A Belongia; Huong Q McLean; Alicia M Fry; Fiona P Havers Journal: Clin Infect Dis Date: 2018-03-19 Impact factor: 20.999
Authors: F Scott Dahlgren; David K Shay; Hector S Izurieta; Richard A Forshee; Michael Wernecke; Yoganand Chillarige; Yun Lu; Jeffrey A Kelman; Carrie Reed Journal: Influenza Other Respir Viruses Date: 2018-03-25 Impact factor: 4.380
Authors: Su Su; Alicia M Fry; Pam Daily Kirley; Deborah Aragon; Kimberly Yousey-Hindes; James Meek; Kyle Openo; Oluwakemi Oni; Ruta Sharangpani; Craig Morin; Gary Hollick; Krista Lung; Matt Laidler; Mary Lou Lindegren; William Schaffner; Annette Atkinson; Sandra S Chaves Journal: Influenza Other Respir Viruses Date: 2016-01-29 Impact factor: 4.380