Abstract
BackgroundEmpirical data regarding the frequency of infection during fever episodes among women in long-term care facilities are lacking.MethodsWe conducted a case-series analysis of women long-term care residents enrolled in a randomized trial evaluating cranberry capsules to reduce bacteriuria plus pyuria across twenty-one long-term care facilities in CT, USA. Fever episodes identified during adverse event surveillance were assessed using established guidelines for older adults. Among fever episodes, infections were classified using standardized infection surveillance definitions in long-term care residents.ResultsWe identified 123 fever episodes among 80 women long-term care residents. Median age was 88 years (range, 65–101), and 81% (N=65) had dementia. Among 123 fever episodes, 79 (64%) met criteria for 86 total infections (lower respiratory tract, N=43; pneumonia, N=27; gastroenteritis, N=9; urinary tract, N=7).ConclusionData from this study suggest that approximately two-thirds of fever episodes involve infection among women in long-term care facilities. These data may guide provider assessments of fever in older adult women in long-term care facilities.
Highlights
Comorbid conditions affecting older adults may preclude reliable clinical assessment of infection [1]
Among 123 fever episodes, 79 (64%) met criteria for 86 total infections
Data from this study suggest that approximately two-thirds of fever episodes involve infection among women in long-term care facilities
Summary
Comorbid conditions affecting older adults may preclude reliable clinical assessment of infection [1]. Infection diagnoses often rely on vital signs [2]. Fever interpretation among older adults is complicated by lower baseline temperatures, blunted host immune responses, and contributing non-infectious causes [3,4,5]. The importance of accurate fever interpretation is underscored by widespread antimicrobial overuse in longterm care settings [6]. We sought to provide empirical data regarding the frequency of infectious causes for fever episodes among women in long-term care facilities. Empirical data regarding the frequency of infection during fever episodes among women in long-term care facilities are lacking
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