Protocol for Managing Fever in Emergency Departments in India
Author Information
Author(s): Thangarasu Sudhagar, Natarajan Piruthiviraj, Rajavelu Parivalavan, Rajagopalan Arjun, Seelinger Devey Jeremy S
Primary Institution: Sundaram Medical Foundation
Hypothesis
Can a standardized protocol reduce unnecessary testing and inappropriate antimicrobial use in febrile patients without localizing symptoms?
Conclusion
The standardized protocol can lead to reduced rates of unnecessary testing and antimicrobial use in febrile patients.
Supporting Evidence
- 342 patients presented with fever during the study period.
- 209 patients met the protocol criteria for acute undifferentiated febrile illness.
- 75.2% of patients presenting on the 1st or 2nd day of fever defervesced without testing.
- 53.1% of patients defervesced without the need for antimicrobial therapy.
Takeaway
Doctors created a plan to help patients with fever feel better without doing too many tests or giving them unnecessary medicine.
Methodology
A protocol was implemented for adult patients with fever and no localizing symptoms, and data were collected on their outcomes.
Limitations
The study was a pilot and did not assess additional outcomes like hospital admission rates or mortality.
Participant Demographics
Adult patients aged 17 and older presenting with fever.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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