Prevention, monitoring and control of influenza in nursing homes

Objective: Describe the implementation of various activities suggested in the guide entitled Prevention, surveillance et controle de I'influenza en milieu d'hebergement et de soins de longue duree (CHSLD) au Quebec, distributed in 2000 to Montreal-area CHSLD. Method: The study was conducted in 2001 among 57 CHSLDs (39 public institutions and 18 private institutions under agreement) in Montreal. A self-administered questionnaire collected data on the characteristics of the centres and main activities recommended in the guide. The principal activities recommended were grouped into three components: influenza prevention, surveillance and control. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS 10.0. A descriptive analysis was performed. Results: The overall rate of response was 81% (46/57). The proportion of centres that had carried out the various components was 35% (16/46) for prevention and 41% (19/46) for surveillance; only 2 centres had applied the influenza control component. Conclusion: Over half of CHSLDs in Montreal did not implement the influenza prevention, surveillance and control components. Gaps were noted, especially related to vaccine coverage of staff and rapid access to chemoprophylaxis. Several additional control measures recommended were also considered to be inapplicable. We must review our strategies to identify the barriers to optimal implementation of these measures.