tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
J Clin Virol. 2014 Feb 12. pii: S1386-6532(14)00036-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jcv.2014.01.016. [Epub ahead of print]
Rapid influenza diagnostic test use and antiviral prescriptions in outpatient settings pre- and post-2009 H1N1 pandemic.
Williams LO1, Kupka NJ2, Schmaltz SP3, Barrett S2, Uyeki TM4, Jernigan DB4.
Author information
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) can be used at the point-of-care and are often the only influenza tests readily available in outpatient facilities.
OBJECTIVES:
To determine the use of RIDTs and antiviral prescription practices in outpatient facilities.
STUDY DESIGN:
Surveys were mailed to U.S. physician's offices, emergency departments, and community health centers in 2008 (pre-2009 H1N1 pandemic) and 2010 (post-2009 H1N1 pandemic). The 2010 survey included questions to evaluate changes in testing and treatment practices among various risk groups subsequent to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.
RESULTS:
In both surveys, respondents using RIDTs relied on RIDT results to guide prescribing antiviral medications. Greater than two-thirds of these respondents reported prescribing antiviral medications both pre- and post-pandemic for patients within 48h of onset of flu-like symptoms with a positive RIDT (69% pre-pandemic; 67% post-pandemic). After the pandemic (2010 survey), outpatient providers also reported prescribing antivirals to those with flu-like symptoms for 31% of children <2 years, 23% of children 2-5 years, 37% of pregnant patients, and 74% of other patients at high risk; while these figures were higher than pre-pandemic, they represent a failure to use CDC guidelines to prescribe antivirals for patients with suspected influenza who are at higher risk for complications.
CONCLUSIONS:
Clinicians in outpatient facilities often relied on RIDT findings to aid in making antiviral treatment decisions; however their treatment practices were not always consistent with CDC guidelines. The use of RIDTs and antiviral medicines were influenced by the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.
Copyright ? 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS:
H1N1, Influenza, Influenza testing, Rapid influenza diagnostic testing, Rapid influenza testing
PMID:
24630481
[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24630481
Rapid influenza diagnostic test use and antiviral prescriptions in outpatient settings pre- and post-2009 H1N1 pandemic.
Williams LO1, Kupka NJ2, Schmaltz SP3, Barrett S2, Uyeki TM4, Jernigan DB4.
Author information
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) can be used at the point-of-care and are often the only influenza tests readily available in outpatient facilities.
OBJECTIVES:
To determine the use of RIDTs and antiviral prescription practices in outpatient facilities.
STUDY DESIGN:
Surveys were mailed to U.S. physician's offices, emergency departments, and community health centers in 2008 (pre-2009 H1N1 pandemic) and 2010 (post-2009 H1N1 pandemic). The 2010 survey included questions to evaluate changes in testing and treatment practices among various risk groups subsequent to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.
RESULTS:
In both surveys, respondents using RIDTs relied on RIDT results to guide prescribing antiviral medications. Greater than two-thirds of these respondents reported prescribing antiviral medications both pre- and post-pandemic for patients within 48h of onset of flu-like symptoms with a positive RIDT (69% pre-pandemic; 67% post-pandemic). After the pandemic (2010 survey), outpatient providers also reported prescribing antivirals to those with flu-like symptoms for 31% of children <2 years, 23% of children 2-5 years, 37% of pregnant patients, and 74% of other patients at high risk; while these figures were higher than pre-pandemic, they represent a failure to use CDC guidelines to prescribe antivirals for patients with suspected influenza who are at higher risk for complications.
CONCLUSIONS:
Clinicians in outpatient facilities often relied on RIDT findings to aid in making antiviral treatment decisions; however their treatment practices were not always consistent with CDC guidelines. The use of RIDTs and antiviral medicines were influenced by the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.
Copyright ? 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS:
H1N1, Influenza, Influenza testing, Rapid influenza diagnostic testing, Rapid influenza testing
PMID:
24630481
[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24630481