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Respiratory viral testing in laboratories serving acute care hospitals in Rhode Island
Daniel Harris1, Emily Cooper2, Cindy Vanner3
1School of Public Health, Brown University, Healthcentric Advisors, Providence, RI.
Background:
The rapid detection of respiratory viral infections is associated with several positive health outcomes. However, little is known about the availability of rapid respiratory viral testing in acute care hospital laboratories.
Methods:
A survey was sent to 13 hospital laboratories assessing results' turnaround time, the number of ordered tests and positive results.
Results:
Rapid viral panel (RVP), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and rapid influenza testing was available in 9 of 13, 13 of 13, and 13 of 13 hospitals, respectively. Results were available within 24 hours of specimen collection in 1 of 9 hospitals for RVP; RSV and rapid influenza results were available within 12 hours in 8 of 13 and 13 of 13 hospitals, respectively.
Conclusions:
Rapid diagnosis of respiratory viral infections in RI acute care hospitals can be made for influenza and RSV. However, rapid results for other respiratory viruses are unavailable in most of RI hospitals. [Full article available at http://rimed.org/rimedicaljournal-2017-09.asp].