Evaluation of a new COVID-19 triage algorithm in the emergency department including combined antigen and PCR-testing: A case-control study.

ABSTRACT: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a major challenge for global healthcare systems. Early and safe triage in the emergency department (ED) is crucial for proper therapy. However, differential diagnosis remains challenging. Rapid antigen testing (RAT) may help to improve early triage and patient safety. We performed a retrospective study of 234 consecutive patients with suspected COVID-19 who presented to our ED in November 2020. All underwent SARS-CoV-2-nasopharyngeal swab testing using both RAT and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The inpatient treatment was established according to an empirically developed triage algorithm. The accuracy of the suggested algorithm was analyzed based on the rate of outpatients returning within 7 days and inpatients

SUBMITTER: Fistera D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9592145 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature