Project to decrease flu cases

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Kent County had 24 confirmed cases of influenza the past four months. Health departments across the area say numbers are low and are just starting to gradually trend upward.

To help, Michael Klepser, Pharm.D., professor of pharmacy at Ferris State University, is the mind behind a project in hopes of decreasing the number of flu cases.

"The goal is to identify individuals who are coming into the pharmacy that might have signs and symptoms of influenza," Dr. Klepser told 24 Hour News 8.

He says the idea is that pharmacists will not only help identify patients who have flu symptoms but treat them too.

"Pharmacists are in a prime position, really, to play an essential role in influenza, both seasonal and pandemic, because of the interaction they have with patients and the timeliness we can get antivirals to patients," he said.

The program, the first in the nation of its kind, Dr. Klepser says started in December at the Diplomat Pharmacy in Grand Rapids and Flint. So far four patients have participated in Grand Rapids.

Klepser played sick on Thursday while Resident Lindsey Crisp walked us through the protocol. She collected his information, took his vital signs, a swab here, a test there.

"If we can catch them and identify flu symptoms at that point, and either refer them to the doctor or are able to give them medications then we're able to treat them better," Crips said, "especially because the antivirals need to be given within 48 hours of their symptoms starting."

When not treated, the illness can get worse.

Dr. Klepser says seasonal influenza and related complications result in approximately 36,000 deaths and 226,000 hospitalizations each year in the U.S.

"If we identify those patients and keep them from progressing to severe illness, potentially we can avoid hospitalizations," he said, and decrease deaths, costs and more.

Dr. Klepser says the program currently has cost around $90,000. They have received funding and equipment from different pharmaceutical companies.