Influenza Surveillance Using an Electronic Medical Record and Variations in Symptoms over Three Influenza Seasons

Details

• Personal Author:
  Alder SC ; Haws A ; Hegmann KB ; Hegmann KT ; Lyon JL ; Wendelboe AM ; White GL Jr.
• Description:
  Influenza surveillance for the 2001-03 seasons is being performed at the University of Utah using an electronic medical record on a patient population of -100,000. Influenza epidemics in each season have been identified using multiple statistical process control charts. Signs and symptoms of influenza cases were analyzed and unexpectedly demonstrated significant amounts of abdominal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In influenza cases confirmed by a rapid influenza test, there was not a significant difference between years in the prevalence of reported nausea and vomiting, although there was for diarrhea (15.4% vs. 4.9% [2003 vs. 2002 respectively] p < 0.001). When rapid test positive cases were compared to those not confirmed for 2003, a statistically significant difference was seen (vomiting 25.6% vs. 6.1 %, p<0.05; nausea 23.1 % vs. 9.1 %, p<0.05). Thus far in 2003, patients diagnosed with influenza were statistically less likely to have fever, cough, sore throat, myalgias/arthraigias, headache, chest congestion, sinus pain/pressure, and earache than those diagnosed with influenza in 2002 (all p < 0.001). Other respiratory diagnoses not specifically related to influenza have also been monitored to detect an early influenza epidemic potentially undiagnosed due to cases. The differences in signs and symptoms reporting between years suggests that either influenza presents somewhat differently in different seasons, or many cases may have been misdiagnosed. This finding suggests a need for further research in this area to potentially improve the quality of patient care for influenza. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Communicable Diseases Diagnosis Electrical Equipment And Supplies Emergencies Epidemiology Health Care Facilities Workforce And Services Occupational Health Respiratory System Respiratory Tract Diseases Safety Viral Diseases

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• Keywords:
  Clinical-diagnosis Diagnostic-techniques Diagnostic-tests Electronic-devices Emergency-response Infection-control Infectious-diseases Medical-monitoring Respiratory-infections Surveillance-programs Viral-infections

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• ISSN:
  0002-9262
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 8 ; Utah
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  157
• Issue:
  11
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20037577
• Citation:
  Am J Epidemiol 2003 Jun; 157(11)(Suppl):S47
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2003
• Performing Organization:
  University of Utah
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Epidemiology
• Supplement:
  Suppl
• End Date:
  20280630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:22be055068796e5753938f62e6f516f67c7c8c5886d99e008714e7f5c33c714adb6c4ee6846c31dcd8f068091af4cabe8bdbbfb3f0e2a03c18dd34a6ea2a75e9
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/188649/cdc_188649_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 173.69 KB ]