Patients at a high-risk of severe influenza, because of their underlying health disorders, are recommended to receive a seasonal influenza vaccination. In Poland, influenza coverage rate in the general population is very low (3.4 %). However, there is little known about the coverage rate among high-risk patients. The aim of this study was to describe a general knowledge, perception, and influenza vaccination coverage rate among Polish patients with enhanced risk for influenza. We conducted a self-reported survey among 500 patients with chronic disorders: 120 pulmonary, 80 hemodialyzed, 100 thyroid cancer, and 200 cardiovascular patients. We found the following influenza vaccination coverage in the respective groups of patients: 58 % in pulmonary, 34 % in hemodialyzed, 32 % in cardiovascular, and 9 % in thyroid cancer patients. The difference between the coverage rate in pulmonary patients compared with the other risk groups was significant (p < 0.05). In pulmonary patients, the most important barrier for influenza vaccination was a lack of recommendations from healthcare workers, while a high awareness of influenza was the most powerful driver for vaccination (p < 0.05). We conclude that although the influenza vaccination coverage in Polish patients with chronic diseases is higher than that reported in the general population, this rate remains much below the recommended level and should be improved.

Background: Influenza vaccinations are recommended for medical staff as an effective and safe form of preventing influenza and its complications. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of selected educational and information interventions on the influenza vaccination coverage (IVC) in nursing personnel and their attitude towards this procedure. Material and Methods: The study participants (N = 320) were randomly divided into 4 groups. Group 1 participated in stationary training, whereas group 2 participated in distance learning. Additionally, 2 subgroups were established in each of the groups above: 1 subgroup received a reminder about the vaccination in the form of a short text message, and the other group did not receive any such reminder. The IVC rate in each group was determined; the attitude towards influenza vaccination was measured using the health belief model. Results: The highest IVC was obtained after stationary training followed by a reminder in the form of a short test message (36%). The reminder significantly affected IVC in the group attending stationary training (p < 0.05, OR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.16-5.58); however, it had no impact on the IVC in the group participating in distance learning (p > 0.05, OR = 1.2, 95% CI: 0.51-2.83). Both stationary training and distance learning positively influenced the attitude towards influenza vaccinations. A major change in attitudes towards influenza vaccinations was observed only in the case of stationary training followed by a reminder in the form of a short text message (positive changes in perceived susceptibility and severity took place, perceived vaccination benefits increased, and perceived barriers were reduced). Conclusions: Stationary training followed by a reminder in the form of a short text message is more effective in increasing the IVC rate compared to distance learning. It also promotes positive changes in attitudes to this prophylactic procedure, which is why it should be recommended for wider implementation. Med Pr. 2020;71(6)

Influenza may have a complicated course in young children. The aim of the study was to analyze the suitability of influenza treatment among children younger than 5 years hospitalized due to an influenza-like illness. We conducted a comparison of the treatment among children hospitalized in two consecutive years: 2015, when no rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDT) were in use, and 2016, when RIDT were implemented into a routine practice in the pediatric ward. In both seasons, nasopharyngeal swabs were collected and examined with real time qRT-PCR. In the 2015 season, influenza was diagnosed in 15/52 (28 %) children and none of them received oseltamivir, while 14/15 (93 %) patients received antibiotics. In the 2016 season, influenza was diagnosed in 11/63 (17 %) children, 7/11 (64 %) of them received oseltamivir and another 7/11 (64 %) received antibiotics. In four cases antibiotics overlapped oseltamivir. These differences in the use of oseltamivir and antibiotics were statistically significant (p < 0.05). We conclude that the implementation of RIDT improves the suitability of influenza treatment and decreases the frequency of antibiotic therapy. RIDT should be available in pediatric departments to optimize influenza treatment.

The hospital antibiotic policy should be implemented to rationalize the antibiotic use and to decrease the risk of spread of resistant bacteria. The aim of this study was to describe the antibiotic consumption patterns in a single oncosurgery ward before and after the implementation of hospital antibiotic policy. We conducted a retrospective analysis of the antibiotic use at the oncosurgery ward in Warsaw, Poland, in the years 2011-2016. Calculations were based on daily defined doses (DDD), DDD/100 hospitalizations, and DDD/100 person-days. Drug utilization rates (DU 90% and DU 100%) were also analyzed. After the implementation of hospital antibiotic policy, a total antibiotic consumption increased (365.35 DDD in 2011 vs. 1359.22 DDD in 2016). A significant change was observed in the antibiotic consumption patterns: the use of amoxicillin clavulanate and carbapenems or glycopeptides decreased significantly (p < 0.05), while the use of ciprofloxacin and aminoglycosides increased (p < 0.05). The DU100% rate varied from 6 in 2011 to 12 in 2016; while DU 90% rate varied from 2 in 2011 to 3-5 in 2013-2016. Although the implementation of hospital antibiotic policy did not result in a decrease in the antibiotic consumption, it seems to provide a favorable change into the antibiotic consumption pattern.

Introduction and Objective. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Poland and worldwide. Medical services together with telemedicine provide complex health care for patients with cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study is to analyze the use of telemedicine options for reimbursed cardiac services between 2018-2021. Materials and method. From the database of the National Health Fund (the sole public payer of health services), teleconsultations between primary care physicians (PCPs, specialists, stationary consultations of primary care physicians with a cardiologist, and hybrid cardiac telerehabilitation were identified. Analysis was based on the number, age and gender of patients, as well as p;rovincial health centres. Results. The largest number of teleconsultations of primary care physicians were with acardiologists, accounting for 25% of telemedicine consultations, 96% of which involved patients living in an area with 5-10 000 healthcare beneficiaries. Only 21% of all consultations between the primary care physicians and the cardiologists were stationary consultations. Hybrid cardiac telerehabilitation involved patients from 13 provincial centres (VCs), with the highest number of services recorded in the 60-64 age group. Conclusions. Telemedicine services are the main means of consultation between specialists and primary care. physicians. An increasing trend in the use of hybrid cardiac telerehabilitation was found.