[Evaluation of a remote infectious disease consultation]

The aims of our study were to characterize the activity of a remote infectious diseases consultation (RIDC) in a teaching hospital and to assess physician observance to advice.

All demands received by the RIDC for initial advice and the given answers were recorded during one month. Advice given for inpatients was followed up 72 hours after to evaluate the physician's observance.

Six hundred and nineteen demands were recorded: 47% came from our teaching hospital and 53% came from community practice. Hospital demands came mostly from surgical (47%) and medical (41%) units. Most of them (92%) were related to the treatment of an infection or diagnostic help. Outside calls came from doctors (85%) either private or working in a health care institution. Prophylaxis (47%) and treatment of an infection or a diagnostic help (43%) were the most frequent issues. Among the 176 pieces of advice requested for inpatients, 87% were completely observed. Advice was more followed when it was given by experienced specialists (p=0.02) or by phone (p=0.03) and less followed for patients presenting a nosocomial infection (p=0.03).

The RIDC is very useful for the medical community and its advice is usually followed. Informal consultations account for an important part of its activity.