Performance against quality indicators in the initial assessment of patients with respiratory infections in acute medicine services

INTRODUCTION: Hospital attendances due to respiratory infection peak in winter, contributing to pressures within acute services. We assessed the prevalence of suspected respiratory infection within acute medical admissions during winter and evaluated performance against recommendations for initial assessment.

METHODS: Data were collected through the Society for Acute Medicine (SAM) Benchmarking Audit, comprising a hospital-level survey and 24-hour patient-level data collection for unplanned acute medical attendances on 22 February 2024. Performance metrics assessed included those from the SAM's clinical quality indicators (CQI) for medical admissions, and British Thoracic Society (BTS) guidelines for community acquired pneumonia.

RESULTS: Data were available for 4390 patients at 76 hospitals. Suspected respiratory infections accounted for 22.8% of all unplanned medical attendances; these patients were older (age ≥70 years: 58.2% vs 44.7%, p<0.001) and had higher National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) scores (NEWS2 ≥3: 63.8% vs 23.8%, p<0.001) than those without respiratory infection; they were more likely to be assessed in the emergency department (80.8% vs 63.7%, p<0.001), and had lower rates of discharge without overnight admission (14.9% vs 35.9%, p<0.001). 71.0% of patients underwent a chest X-ray within 4 hours of arrival; 27.0% were reported within 12 hours. Antibiotics were administered ≥4 hours from arrival in 32.9%. Performance against these indicators varied between hospitals. Nine hospitals (12.7%) had a separate respiratory admission service; this was not associated with improved performance against SAM CQIs or BTS guidance.

CONCLUSION: Respiratory infections contribute significantly to acute medical attendances via the emergency department. There remains significant scope to improve key steps in initial assessment and management.