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Journal of Public Health

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01-03-2022 | Influenza Virus | Original Article

Influenza molecular diagnostic testing in a 1000-bed academic Italian hospital during the 2018–19 influenza season

Authors: Francesca Valent, Francesca Malacarne, Sabrina Licata, Corrado Pipan

Published in: Journal of Public Health | Issue 3/2022

Abstract

Aim

The aims of this study were to examine the requests for influenza molecular tests processed by the Virology Laboratory of the University Hospital of Udine during the 2018–19 influenza season and to assess the test results and to estimate costs.

Subjects and methods

We analyzed various administrative databases of the hospital health information system, which can be deterministically linked at the individual level through an anonymous stochastic key. Requests for influenza molecular tests from November 1, 2018, to April 15, 2019, and test results were described by week and, for hospitalized patients, hospital ward. Previous vaccination status of tested patients, outcomes and estimated test costs were assessed.

Results

In the 2018–19 influenza season, 979 influenza A and B virologic tests were processed by the laboratory, corresponding to 758 patients. Requests had more than doubled compared with the previous influenza season. Rapid real-time PCR tests, routinely available at the University Hospital of Udine since January 2019, represented 17% of requests. Six hundred forty-eight patients were hospitalized. Medical wards requested the test after a median of 1 day after admission, whereas requests were delayed for surgical and oncologic patients. The number of tests, proportion of positivity and consumption of rapid tests varied by medical specialty. Overall consumption of oseltamivir was similar to that of the previous influenza season.

Conclusions

This analysis, benefiting from the availability of integrated health administrative databases, provided useful information to support public health decision-making and managing the supply and demand for diagnostic tests.

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Title: Influenza molecular diagnostic testing in a 1000-bed academic Italian hospital during the 2018–19 influenza season
Authors: Francesca Valent
Francesca Malacarne
Sabrina Licata
Corrado Pipan
Publication date: 01-03-2022
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Influenza Virus
Oseltamivir
Vaccination
Influenza
Published in: Journal of Public Health / Issue 3/2022
Print ISSN: 2198-1833
Electronic ISSN: 1613-2238
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-020-01333-9

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Influenza molecular diagnostic testing in a 1000-bed academic Italian hospital during the 2018–19 influenza season

Abstract

Aim

Subjects and methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Aim

Subjects and methods

Results

Conclusions

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