Where does this data come from?

Recent data for Idaho is available on the Idaho Health & Welfare website www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/site/4286/default.aspx . For preparation of "Local Trends" comments on this site, data from Idaho labs reporting to the Idaho Health & Welfare website, Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, and Primary Childrens Hospital in Salt Lake City are reviewed.

Historical graphs up to 2006 with numbers of positive tests for RSV and influenza are found on this site. The numbers for the graphs are from St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center labs. Testing is done by direct fluorescent antibody staining or viral culture of nasopharyngeal specimens. Outpatients and inpatients of any age are included. Testing was ordered for any reason the clinician wanted the test done. We recognize that more tests are ordered near the beginning of the season than later.

Thanks to Ann Sargent and Kathy Schultz at St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center for facilitating access to quality data. Dr. Tom Rand initiated the webpage, and any suggestions can be emailed to randt@slrmc.org