• Andres I Vecino-Ortiz, Simon D Goldenberg, Sam T Douthwaite, Chih-Yuan Cheng, Rebecca E Glover, Catherine Mak, and Elisabeth J Adams.
• Aquarius Population Health Limited, 58a Highgate High Street, London, N6 5HX, UK; Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
• Diagn. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 2018 Aug 1; 91 (4): 331-335.

AbstractPatients with respiratory infections are often managed presumptively until confirmation of infection status. We assessed the impact of introducing the Enigma® MiniLab™ FluAB-RSV point-of-care test (POCT) on patients admitted with a suspected respiratory virus driven illness in an acute pediatric ward. This utilized a before and after design (respiratory viral seasons 2013/14 versus 2014/15). Following POCT implementation, oseltamivir prescribing increased in patients with influenza (OR = 12.7, P = 0.05, 95% CI [1.0, 153.8]). A reduction in the average reimbursement charges without a change in the length of stay was observed. Modeling suggested that laboratory test cost savings could be achieved if the POCT cost £30 and was used for screening, followed by the respiratory viral panel for RSV and influenza negative patients. A rapid POCT for influenza A/B and RSV infections in pediatric inpatients may improve oseltamivir prescribing, strengthen antimicrobial stewardship, reduce reimbursement charges and decrease laboratory costs.Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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