Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a rapid diagnostic test for influenza (the Sofia® Influenza A+B FIA rapid diagnostic test [RDT]) in a pediatric emergency department (PED).
Methods: A retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in the PED of the Lille University Hospital between 2013 and 2015. All patients under 18 years of age for whom influenza RDT was administered were included. Clinical data, management, and related hospitalizations were compared between positive and negative RDT groups. The length of stay in the PED (main outcome) and the number of additional tests (biological and radiographic tests) between the two groups were compared.
Results: A total of 238 tests were reported: 119 positive, 110 negative, nine invalid. The mean length of stay in the PED was significantly lower in the positive RDT group: 4.0h vs. 7.4h (P<10-6). Patients with positive RDT had significantly fewer biological tests (20% vs. 56%; P<10-7) and radiographs (23% vs. 52%; P<10-5). The prevalence of hospitalizations in a short-stay unit was significantly lower in patients with positive RDT (0.8% vs. 9.1%; P=0.009).
Conclusions: This study showed a significant medical impact of the use of Sofia® Influenza RDT A+B FIA in a PED regarding the length of stay and the number of additional explorations.
Keywords: Influenza; Management; Pediatric emergency department; Rapid diagnostic test; Tertiary-care center.
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