Rapid testing to diagnose flu leads to more appropriate care in ED
Friday, November 15, 2013 - 12:00
in Health & Medicine
When patients in the emergency department are diagnosed with influenza by means of a rapid test, they get fewer unnecessary antibiotics, are prescribed antiviral medications more frequently, and have fewer additional lab tests compared to patients diagnosed with influenza without testing, according to a new study. The findings suggest that diagnosing influenza with a rapid diagnostic test leads to more appropriate, specific, and efficient care.