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Documentation and Evaluation of Fevers in Hospital-Based and Community-Based Nursing Homes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 June 2016

Timothy R. Franson ,
Jeffrey M. Schicker ,
Susan M. LeClair ,
Raymond G. Hoffmann  and
Edmund H. Duthie Jr.
Timothy R. Franson
Affiliation:
Sections of Infectious Disease, Medical Service, Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Jeffrey M. Schicker
Affiliation:
Geriatrics/Gerontology, Medical Service, Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Susan M. LeClair
Affiliation:
Geriatrics/Gerontology, Medical Service, Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Raymond G. Hoffmann
Affiliation:
Division of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Edmund H. Duthie Jr.*
Affiliation:
Geriatrics/Gerontology, Medical Service, Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
*
Medical Service/11 I P, VA Medical Center, 5000 W.National Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53295
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Abstract

Abstract

We reviewed clinical evaluation practices and documentation of fever (>100.2°F) in all febrile patients over a two-month period in a hospital-based nursing home (HBNH) compared with a community-based nursing home (CBNH). Results showed 38 febrile (mean 101.9°F) HBNH patients and 26 febrile (mean 101.5°F) CBNH patients. Median time from fever onset to physician contact was 4 hours in HBNH and 12.5 hours in CBNH episodes (P<0.01). Laboratory studies were initially performed in 68% of HBNH and 31% of CBNH episodes (P<0.005), and diagnosis of fever source was documented in 76% of HBNH and 16% of CBNH episodes (P<0.005). Overall assessment stratification showed 81% febrile HBNH patients had both evaluation and therapy performed compared with 38% in CBNH (P<0.0001); 39% of febrile CBNH patients had no evaluation or therapy performed. Results indicate lack of documentation, and fever evaluation in CBNHs may preclude complete detection of nursing home-acquired infections and thereby hamper preventive responses to potential infection problems.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 9 , Issue 10 , October 1988 , pp. 447 - 450
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1988

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