The nature of an infectious disease practice in a community hospital

Populations of patients in community and university-affiliated teaching hospitals differ, and therefore, problems encountered by infectious disease specialists in these two types of hospitals also differ. However, most infectious disease specialists are trained only in university hospitals. In order to characterize the nature of an infectious disease practice in a community hospital, the authors report data for the patients seen during a period of three years (July 1978-June 1981). Most of the 1,238 cases were referred by other physicians. General practitioners referred 35% of the cases, whereas internists, orthopedists, and surgeons referred 20%, 16%, and 10% respectively. Skin and wound infections accounted for the largest percentage of referrals (16%). Fever accounted for 9%, abdominal problems for 6%, and respiratory infections for 6%. Other problems referred to the infectious disease service included infections of the central nervous system, urinary tract infections, osteomyelitis, and arthritis.