Evaluation of a programme for ‘Rapid Assessment of Febrile Travelers’ (RAFT): a clinic-based quality improvement initiative

Jazuli, Farah; Lynd, Terence; Mah, Jordan; Klowak, Michael; Jechel, Dale; Klowak, Stefanie; Ovens, Howard; Sabbah, Sam; Boggild, Andrea K

The median temperature of RAFT Clinic patients at presentation in the ED was 37.1°C (range 35.2-40.7°C). Adherence to the recommended initial blood work algorithm was variable. Ninety-nine per cent of patients (n=152) had a complete blood count (CBC) drawn, while 98% (n=151) had electrolytes and creatinine drawn. Ninety-four per cent of patients (n=144) received malaria screening. Among those who did not receive malaria screening, 6 of 10 travelled to areas without appreciable malaria risk such as the USA (n=2), Cuba (n=1), Trinidad (n=2) and Mexico (n=1), while 4 (40%) travelled to areas where malaria screening would have been indicated such as Nicaragua (n=2), the Dominican Republic (n=1) and the Philippines (n=1). Adherence to the remainder of the suggested blood work, in decreasing order, was as follows: liver function tests (hepatic transaminases, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase) 90% (n=138), blood cultures 88% (n=135) and urinalysis 65% (n=100).