Systematic review of the impact of point-of-care testing for influenza on the outcomes of patients with acute respiratory tract infection.

ABSTRACT: Acute respiratory tract infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality and represent a significant burden on the health care system. Laboratory testing is required to definitively distinguish infecting influenza virus from other pathogens, resulting in prolonged emergency department (ED) visits and unnecessary antibiotic use. Recently available rapid point-of-care tests (POCT) may allow for appropriate use of antiviral and antibiotic treatments and decrease patient lengths of stay. We undertook a systematic review to assess the effect of POCT for influenza on three outcomes: (1) antiviral prescription, (2) antibiotic prescription, and (3) patient length of stay in the ED. The databases Medline and Embase were searched using MeSH terms and keywords for influenza, POCT, antivirals,

SUBMITTER: Egilmezer E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7169080 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature