Available online 18 September 2022, 115818
Key Points1Pediatric urgent care providers recognize that influenza is a common childhood respiratory disorder, however, the reliability of its diagnosis solely on clinical symptoms is fading.
2RIDT testing is becoming preferred not only to increase provider confidence, but also to help distinguish from other high-risk, high-implication viral diseases.
3Most pediatric urgent care providers reported higher confidence in their diagnosis and higher likelihood of prescribing antivirals with a positive RIDT rather than by clinical symptoms alone, especially in the era of SARS-CoV-2.
AbstractIntroductionDespite a sensitivity of 50-70% 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.
MethodsA 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.
ResultsResponses 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.
ConclusionMost 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.
KeywordsRapid diagnostic test
flu
pediatric influenza
RIDT
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