Description of an influenza outbreak in a French university hospital and risk factors of nosocomial influenza

Our objective was to evaluate risk factors of nosocomial influenza (NI) in an university hospital during the 2015/2016 influenza season. All hospitalized patients with influenza-like illness associated with laboratory confirmation by polymerase chain reaction were included in a prospective observational study. We identified 44 cases (19%) of NI among the 233 cases of influenza: 38/178 (21%) in adults and 6/55 (11%) in children. Among adults, hospitalization in a double or multi-occupancy room was independently associated with NI (adjusted Odds Ratio, 3.42; 95% CI, 1.29-9.08;p= 0.013). The results of the study underline the importance of single room to prevent NI.

Automated summary

The study indicates that hospitalized patients staying in single rooms could effectively prevent nosocomial influenza.