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A new report indicates that the flu sent more than 8,600 Pennsylvanians to hospital last season, an increase of 62% over the previous season.
Released last week by the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Limitation Council, the report revealed a wide variation in admissions over the past flu seasons. The 8,647 influenza-related hospitalizations increased by 5,328 in 2017, nearly three times more than five years ago.
Influenza is a contagious respiratory disease that can cause serious illness. Although most people are cured, flu-related complications can be life-threatening, especially for young and old people.
"We have known for many years that older people are the most exposed to the flu," said Dr. Marc Itskowitz, Allegheny Health Network physician. "It has to do with a weakened immune system."
Across the state, 67.5 people were hospitalized last season for 100,000 Pennsylvanians. The season took place from autumn 2017 to spring 2018.
Beaver and Allegheny counties had some of the highest hospitalization rates, at 111.4 and 97.3 cases per 100,000 population, respectively. Westmoreland County had a slightly higher rate than the state, with 74.6 hospitalizations per 100,000 population, the third highest rate in southwestern Pennsylvania.
This influenza season, which ends in May, should not be so catastrophic. The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported nearly 80,000 cases of influenza up to March 23, against more than 122,000 Pennsylvanians with influenza last season.
Older residents and children are at greatest risk of developing flu-related complications that lead to hospitalization. Because these populations are often insured by federal safety nets paid for by taxpayers, the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Limitation Council has examined the costs of Medicare and Medicaid associated with influenza-related hospitalizations.
"We had a very bad influenza year in 2017-2018, partly because of the effectiveness of the vaccine and the specific strain of the influenza virus. We are not surprised at the high rate identified in the report, "said Dr. Karen Hacker, Allegheny County Health Department Director.. "So far this season, we have had fewer cases, hospitalizations and deaths reported than last season."
Robin Jennings, spokesperson for Excela Health in Greensburg, said Westmoreland County has a large number of elderly people with diseases such as COPD, asthma and diabetes, chronic diseases that compromise the immunity of an individual and may result in more hospitalizations, even higher vaccination rates.
Dr. Ron Leckey, Director of Emergency Systems for the Heritage Valley Health System in Beaver and Sewickley, agrees.
"People with chronic conditions tend to become sicker when they contract the flu," Leckey said.
The report relied on hospital billing data.
Among the results:
- The vast majority, or 98%, of influenza cases occurred between December 2017 and May 2018.
- About two in three hospitalizations were patients aged 65 and over.
- Those 65 and older stayed in the hospital longer, averaging 4.6 days, compared with 3.6 days for younger influenza patients.
- Nine influenza-related hospitalizations in patients 65 years and older were paid with health insurance for a total estimated $ 34 million.
- Medicaid cared for almost 60 percent of Pennsylvania's 604 hospitalized under-18s at an estimated cost of $ 3 million.
- Six in ten hospitalized children were under five years old.
On April 2, Allegheny County had 12 influenza-related deaths, compared to 31 during the 2017-18 influenza season. At the statewide, the flu has resulted in 258 deaths, according to state health department records.
Although young people and the elderly are more likely to have flu-related complications with associated diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus and ear infections, Pennsylvania seniors accounted for two out of every three hospital admissions. the last flu season.
Sandie Egley, Commissioner of Beaver County, recorded the third highest hospitalization rate in the state, estimating that county demographics had been accounted for in the highest rates. Beaver County seniors make up about 28% of the population.
Demographics alone, however, can not fully explain higher rates. For example, about one-quarter of the population of Butler County is 60 years of age and over, but their hospitalization rate in the last influenza season fell below that of the state with 66.8 cases per 100,000 population. .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that vaccination has prevented about 5.3 million cases of influenza and 85,000 influenza-related hospitalizations in 2016 and 2017.
Although the effectiveness varies, studies show that a vaccine can reduce the risk between 40% and 60% during seasons when the vaccine matches circulating strains.
Established by the General Assembly in 1986, the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Limitation Council is responsible for collecting and analyzing information to improve the quality and reduce the costs of state health care. .
Joe Martin, executive director of the board, declined to comment on the report.
To read a full copy of the report, click here.
Nicole C. Brambila is a writer for Tribune-Review. You can contact Nicole at 724-226-7704, [email protected] or via Twitter .
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