• Nasir Wabe, Ling Li, Robert Lindeman, Ruth Yimsung, Maria R Dahm, Kate Clezy, Susan McLennan, Johanna Westbrook, and Andrew Georgiou.
• Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW.
• Med. J. Aust. 2019 Apr 1; 210 (7): 316-320.

ObjectiveTo determine whether rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for influenza and respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV) in emergency departments (EDs) is associated with better patient and laboratory outcomes than standard multiplex PCR testing.Design, SettingA before-and-after study in four metropolitan EDs in New South Wales.Participants1491 consecutive patients tested by standard multiplex PCR during July-December 2016, and 2250 tested by rapid PCR during July-December 2017.Main Outcome MeasuresHospital admissions; ED length of stay (LOS); test turnaround time; patient receiving test result before leaving the ED; ordering of other laboratory tests.ResultsCompared with those tested by standard PCR, fewer patients tested by rapid PCR were admitted to hospital (73.3% v 77.7%; P < 0.001) and more received their test results before leaving the ED (67.4% v 1.3%; P < 0.001); the median test turnaround time was also shorter (2.4 h [IQR, 1.6-3.9 h] v 26.7 h [IQR, 21.2-37.8 h]). The proportion of patients admitted to hospital was also lower in the rapid PCR group for both children under 18 (50.6% v 66.6%; P < 0.001) and patients over 60 years of age (84.3% v 91.8%; P < 0.001). Significantly fewer blood culture, blood gas, sputum culture, and respiratory bacterial and viral serology tests were ordered for patients tested by rapid PCR. ED LOS was similar for the rapid (7.4 h; IQR, 5.0-12.9 h) and standard PCR groups (6.5 h; IQR, 4.2-11.9 h; P = 0.27).ConclusionRapid PCR testing of ED patients for influenza virus and RSV was associated with better outcomes on a range of indicators, suggesting benefits for patients and the health care system. A formal cost-benefit analysis should be undertaken.© 2019 The Authors. Medical Journal of Australia published by AMPCo Pty Ltd.

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