Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: Cross-sectional surveys consisting of questionnaires mailed to all Canadian residential long-term care facilities for elderly people in 1991 and to a random sample of respondents in 1995 and 1999. RESULTS: The response rates were 83% (430/515) in 1995 and 75% (380/506) in 1999. In 1999 the mean reported rates of influenza vaccination were 83% among residents and 35% among staff, and the mean rate of pneumococcal vaccination among residents was 71%; all 3 rates were significantly higher than those in 1991. The rates were also higher in facilities with an infection control practitioner than in those without such an individual (88% v. 82% for influenza vaccination among residents [p < 0.001], 42% v. 35% for influenza vaccination among staff [p = 0.008] and 75% v. 63% for pneumococcal vaccination among residents [p < 0.001]). Obtaining consent for vaccination on admission to the facility was associated with higher influenza and pneumococcal vaccination rates among residents (p = 0.04 and p < 0.001 respectively). Facilities with higher influenza vaccination rates among residents and staff reported lower rates of influenza outbreaks (p = 0.08 and 0.03 respectively). Despite recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, only 50% of the facilities had policies for amantadine prophylaxis during influenza A outbreaks. Amantadine was judged effective in controlling 76% of the influenza A outbreaks and was discontinued because of side effects in 3% of the residents. INTERPRETATION:
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Authors | C G Stevenson, M A McArthur, M Naus, E Abraham, A J McGeer |
Journal | CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne
(CMAJ)
Vol. 164
Issue 10
Pg. 1413-9
(May 15 2001)
ISSN: 0820-3946 [Print] Canada |
PMID | 11387913
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antiviral Agents
- Amantadine
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Topics |
- Aged
- Amantadine
(therapeutic use)
- Analysis of Variance
- Antiviral Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Canada
(epidemiology)
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Disease Outbreaks
(prevention & control, statistics & numerical data)
- Guideline Adherence
(statistics & numerical data, trends)
- Health Personnel
(statistics & numerical data)
- Homes for the Aged
- Humans
- Infection Control
(methods, standards, statistics & numerical data, trends)
- Influenza, Human
(epidemiology, prevention & control)
- Logistic Models
- Occupational Health
(statistics & numerical data)
- Pneumonia, Pneumococcal
(epidemiology, prevention & control)
- Population Surveillance
- Practice Guidelines as Topic
- Skilled Nursing Facilities
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Vaccination
(standards, statistics & numerical data, trends)
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