Triaging pandemic flu: Pneumonia severity scores are not the answer

Abstract

SETTING: The 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic caused significant strain on health systems worldwide. A tool to triage patients at low risk of requiring intensive care services would assist practitioners in safely reducing hospital admission rates during pandemic influenza outbreaks. Community-acquired pneumonia severity scores have not been validated for use in pandemic influenza. OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy of the pneumonia severity index (PSI), CURB-65 and SMRT-CO severity scores in predicting patients at low risk of requiring intensive care services. DESIGN: Between May and July 2009, 105 patients a dmitted with laboratory-confirmed pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza to Melbourne public hos..