Flu Assessment Clinics

Someone in Ottawa, Canada had a simple idea to lessen the overcrowding at the hospital emergency wards with influenza cases.

They established influenza assessment, treatment and referral centres.

The sites were set up to accommodate anyone who had influenza-like symptoms and needed medical attention quickly and possible treatment with antiviral medication.

The centres were open to all members of the public.

Anyone who had influenza-like symptoms and was in a high risk group were advised to call their own health care provider quickly to ask for an appointment or to receive instructions as to where to go for assessment and treatment.

The high risk groups included:
• people with underlying medical conditions such as cardiac disease, lung diseases, diabetes, cancer, renal disease
• people over the age of 65
• children under age 5
• pregnant women
• children under 18 years of age on long-term acetylsalicylic acid therapy

Anyone who had severe or worsening illness were advised to go to the nearest hospital emergency department Severe or worsening illness included:
• difficulty breathing
• shortness of breath
• chest pain
• continuous vomiting or severe diarrhea with signs of dehydration
• confusion
• seizures
• extreme lack of energy

The clinics quickly relieved the pressure on the hospitals and on the flu shot clinics. A simple idea that really paid off.