Practice patterns and perceptions of influenza testing amongst pediatric urgent care providers

Authors

Haroon Shaukat, Division of Emergency Medicine, Children's National Health System, Wshington, DC, USA; George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA. Electronic address: hshaukat2@childrensnational.org.
Sophia Wang, Division of Emergency Medicine, Children's National Health System, Wshington, DC, USA.
Dana Kim, Division of Emergency Medicine, Children's National Health System, Wshington, DC, USA.
Ioannis Koutroulis, Division of Emergency Medicine, Children's National Health System, Wshington, DC, USA; George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.
Deena Berkowitz, Division of Emergency Medicine, Children's National Health System, Wshington, DC, USA; George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.
Kristen Breslin, Division of Emergency Medicine, Children's National Health System, Wshington, DC, USA; George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2-1-2023

Journal

Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease

Volume

105

Issue

2

DOI

10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2022.115818

Keywords

RIDT; Rapid diagnostic test, flu, pediatric influenza

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Despite a sensitivity of 50% to 70% the rapid influenza diagnostic test (RIDT) continues to play an important role in clinical decision-making due to its quick turn-around time, high specificity, relative simplicity of use, and low cost. METHODS: A quantitative study using a web-based survey was distributed to 110 members of the Society of Pediatric Urgent Care aimed to assess RIDT use for diagnosis and management of influenza in outpatient pediatric patients. RESULTS: Responses from 61 providers were received. Forty-two percent (95% CI 29.5-54.5%) of respondents report higher confidence in their diagnosis of influenza with the aid of a positive RIDT. 28% of respondents (95% CI 16.6-39.4%) report a higher likelihood of prescribing antiviral medications to low-risk patients if an RIDT is positive than without laboratory confirmation. CONCLUSION: Most pediatric urgent care respondents reported higher confidence in their diagnosis and higher likelihood of prescribing antivirals with a positive RIDT rather than by clinical symptoms alone.

APA Citation

Shaukat, Haroon; Wang, Sophia; Kim, Dana; Koutroulis, Ioannis; Berkowitz, Deena; and Breslin, Kristen, "Practice patterns and perceptions of influenza testing amongst pediatric urgent care providers" (2023). GW Authored Works. Paper 2499.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/2499

Department

Pediatrics