Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology Publication Info
For individual subscriptions, please contact the The University of Chicago Press
University of Chicago Press Customer Service:
1.877.705.1878 (toll-free, U.S. & Canada)
1.773.753.3347 (international)
subscriptions@press.uchicago.edu
For information about institutional access to this title, please visit the Institutional Subscriptions page.
Prevention of Influenza in Long‐Term–Care Facilities
Formats Available in JSTOR: PDF
Abstract(back to top)
Influenza is a frequent cause of epidemic and endemic respiratory illness in long‐term–care facilities (LTCFs), resulting in considerable morbidity and mortality. Detection of influenza outbreaks in this setting can be difficult, because the clinical presentation in older adults is atypical and other pathogens also cause influenza‐like illness (ILI) during the influenza season. Use of the standard case definition for influenza has not been effective in detecting episodes in residents of LTCFs. Alternative case‐definitions that reflect the atypical presentation of influenza in this population have been recommended but not validated. The use of rapid tests for the detection of influenza in conjunction with more sensitive case definitions of ILI may lead to the earlier detection of influenza outbreaks in LTCFs, earlier initiation of infection control measures, and reduction in transmission.
The definition of outbreak, eg, the number of episodes of ILI or episodes of confirmed influenza A that would result in the initiation of antiviral chemoprophylaxis, remains controversial in this setting. The use of newer antivirals could limit the side effects seen in older adults in LTCFs. However, annual vaccination of residents and staff remains the most effective way to prevent the introduction of influenza A or influenza B into LTCFs. In addition, vaccination of LTCF residents reduces rates of illness and pneumonia due to influenza, as well as cardiopulmonary exacerbation, hospitalization, and death.
Bibliographic Information(back to top)
- Prevention of Influenza in Long‐Term–Care Facilities
- Suzanne F. Bradley , MD and the Long‐Term–Care Committee of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America
- Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
- Vol. 20, No. 9 (September 1999) (pp. 629-637)
Notes and References(back to top)
This item contains 1 note(s).
Notes
From the Divisions of Geriatric Medicine and Infectious Diseases (Dr. Bradley), Department of Internal Medicine, Veterans’ Affairs Health Systems, and the University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan; and the Long‐Term–Care Committee of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.Address reprint requests to Suzanne F. Bradley, MD, GRECC 11G, Veterans’ Affairs Health Systems, 2215 Fuller Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.Members of the Long‐Term–Care Committee include Lindsay Nicolle,* MD (chair), Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Sky Blue, MD, Boise, Idaho; Suzanne Bradley,* MD, Ann Arbor, Michigan; R. Brooks Gainer, MD, Morgantown, West Virginia; Kent Crossley,* MD, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Carol Freer, MD, Hanover, Pennsylvania; Nelson Gantz, MD, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Brenda Nurse,* MD, New Britain, Connecticut; Andrew Simor,* MD, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Philip Smith,* MD, Omaha, Nebraska; Larry Strausbaugh,* MD, Portland, Oregon; Lauri Thrupp, MD, Orange, California. * Contributed to the writing of this position paper.99‐SR‐073. Bradley SF, the Long‐Term–Care Committee of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. Prevention of influenza in longterm–care facilities. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 1999;20:629‐637.
Items Citing this Item (back to top)
13 item(s) in JSTOR cite this item
- Philip W. Smith MD; Gail Bennett RN, MSN, CIC; Suzanne Bradley MD; Paul Drinka MD; Ebbing Lautenbach MD; James Marx RN, MS, CIC; Lona Mody MD; Lindsay Nicolle MD; Kurt Stevenson MDVol. 29, No. 9 (September 2008) pp. 785-814Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/592416
- Anucha Apisarnthanarak MD; Pilaipan Puthavathana PhD; Rungrueng Kitphati MD; Prasert Auewarakul MD, PhD; Linda M. Mundy MDVol. 29, No. 8 (August 2008) pp. 777-780Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/588162
- Hilary M. Babcock , MD; Liana R. Merz , MPH; Victoria J. Fraser , MDVol. 27, No. 3 (March 2006) pp. 266-270Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/501539
- Barbara Bardenheier , MPH, MA; Abigail Shefer , MD; Linda McKibben , MD, MPH; Henry Roberts , PhD; Dale Bratzler , DO, MPHVol. 25, No. 11 (November 2004) pp. 946-954Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/502325
- Mark J. Ferson , MD, FAFPHM; Keira Morgan , CNC; Peter W. Robertson , PhD; Alan W. Hampson , MSc; Ian Carter , PhD; William D. Rawlinson , PhD, FRCPAVol. 25, No. 11 (November 2004) pp. 962-966Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/502327
- Kurt B. Stevenson , MD, MPH; Mark Loeb , MD, MScVol. 25, No. 1 (January 2004) pp. 72-79Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/502296
- Andrew Simor , MD, FRCPC, FACPVol. 23, No. 10 (October 2002) pp. 564-567Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/501971
- Paul J. Drinka , MD; Peggy Krause , RN, CCRC; Lori Nest , RN; Stefan Gravenstein , MD, MPH; Brian Goodman , PhD; Peter Shult , PhDVol. 23, No. 10 (October 2002) pp. 600-603Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/501978
- Catherine Sartor , MD, PhD; Christine Zandotti , MD; Fanny Romain , MD; Véronique Jacomo , MD; Sophie Simon , MD; Catherine Atlan‐Gepner , MD, PhD; Roland Sambuc , MD, PhD; Bernard Vialettes , MD, PhD; Michel Drancourt , MD, PhDVol. 23, No. 10 (October 2002) pp. 615-619Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/501981
- Xiao Wei Cui , MD, MPH; Marcia M. Nagao , MD, MPH; Paul V. Effler , MD, MPHVol. 22, No. 8 (August 2001) pp. 519-521Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/501944
- Andrew E. Simor , MDVol. 22, No. 7 (July 2001) pp. 459-463Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/501935
- Larry J. Strausbaugh , MD; Carol L. Joseph , MDVol. 21, No. 10 (October 2000) pp. 674-679Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/501712
- Nancy H. Arden , MNVol. 21, No. 1 (January 2000) pp. 59-64Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/501702