The impact of opening dedicated clinics on disease transmission during an influenza pandemic

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Pengyi Shi, Purdue University; Jia Yan, Georgia Institute of Technology; Pinar Keskinocak, Emory University; Andrea Shane, Emory University; Julie L. Swann, North Carolina State University
• Language: English
• Date: 2020-08-06
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2020 Shi et al.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0236455
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: PLOS ONE
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 8
• Start Page: e0236455
• End Page: e0236455
• Grant/Funding Information: This research has been supported in part by a seed grant from Georgia Tech and by the following Georgia Tech benefactors: William W. George, Andrea Laliberte, Claudia L. and J. Paul Raines, and Richard E. “Rick” and Charlene Zalesky.; This research has also been supported by Edward P. Fitts and the A. Doug Allison Distinguished Professorship.
• Keywords: Spread; Strategies; Science & Technology; Agent-based stimulation; Multidisciplinary Sciences; Science & Technology - Other Topics; Model
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Epidemiology; Health Sciences, Public Health; Engineering, System Science

Abstract

Dedicated clinics can be established in an influenza pandemic to isolate people and potentially reduce opportunities for influenza transmission. However, their operation requires resources and their existence may attract the worried-well. In this study, we quantify the impact of opening dedicated influenza clinics during a pandemic based on an agent-based simulation model across a time-varying social network of households, workplaces, schools, community locations, and health facilities in the state of Georgia. We calculate performance measures, including peak prevalence and total attack rate, while accounting for clinic operations, including timing and location. We find that opening clinics can reduce disease spread and hospitalizations even when visited by the worried-well, open for limited weeks, or open in limited locations, and especially when the clinics are in operation during times of highest prevalence. Specifically, peak prevalence, total attack rate, and hospitalization reduced 0.07 0.32%, 0.40 1.51%, 0.02 0.09%, respectively, by operating clinics for the pandemic duration.