Analysis of delays in the prescription of oseltamivir in hospitals and potential for improvement.

OBJECTIVES: Patients hospitalized for influenza should receive early treatment with a neuraminidase inhibitor. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of the prescription of oseltamivir during the 2016-2017 influenza epidemic among patients hospitalized for influenza confirmed by RT-PCR in the infectious disease department. RESULTS: Treatment with oseltamivir was initiated as recommended in 96% of hospitalized patients presenting with influenza. However, a delay in prescription was observed with only 18% of prescriptions made on the first day. The prescriptions were exclusively initiated in the infectious disease department. CONCLUSION: To improve the early prescription of oseltamivir during the influenza season, two recommendations are essential: oseltamivir availability in the emergency department pharmacy, awareness of physicians of the need to prescribe to any patient hospitalized for a lower respiratory tract infection treatment with a neuraminidase inhibitor upon admission to the emergency department.