The burden of unspecified febrile syndrome in a community hospital of Cuba

Background: The Cuban health-care system recommends the hospital admissions of patients with unspecified febrile syndrome (UFS) to rule out arboviral diseases and to prevent healthcare associated adverse outcomes. Aim: Evaluate the burden of unspecified febrile syndrome in a Cuban hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Hospital Joaquín Albarrán (La Habana, Cuba) from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2019. It was collected the admissions and patients days (total and UFS patients) and laboratory test for dengue diagnosis. Results: During the three-year period, the epidemic curve starts in April-May and decline in November, with the highest peak in August 2019. It was admitted 16964 patients with UFS representing 43% of the hospital admissions, and 43512 patients' days were documented. In 2019 the 51.9% of the hospital admissions and 22.9% of patients' days were related to UFS, and were performed 7492 IgM test (repeated test in 89 patients) and 46.2% were reactive. Conclusion: The hospital admission related to unspecified febrile syndrome constitute a challenge to the organization and the healthcare system to provide the best care for all and minimize its economic impact.