Indication of Hospitalization by Comparing Admission Group with Non-admission Group in Influenza: An Observatory Study at a Single Regional Emergency Medical Center

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Influenza is a self-limiting acute respiratory disease, but can be complicated by pneumonia, encephalitis, or myocarditis. If diagnosed, symptomatic treatment of upper respiratory symptoms, early initiation of antiviral therapy, and careful observation of complication occurrence is vital. However, admission of influenza patients can increase the risk of in-hospital infection to previously admitted patients. For this reason, admission or discharge criteria are required. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study. The characteristics of hospitalized cases were compared with those of discharged cases. Medical records from November 1, 2013 to February 28, 2014 were reviewed and the patient characteristics, clinical symptoms and signs, and other clinical variables were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 242 patients who showed positive RAT and underwent laboratory and radiologic testing were enrolled in this study. Among them, 203 patients were discharged from the ER and 39 patients were hospitalized, 32 patients in GW and 7 patients in ICU. In the hospitalized group, compared to the discharged group, the average age, complaint of dyspnea, incidence of leukocytosis, level of ESR and CRP, incidence of hypoxemia, and incidence of acute lesion on chest x-ray was high with statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Admission would be considered for patients with ILI with the findings mentioned above.