Novel Use of Rapid Antigen Influenza Testing in the Outpatient Setting To Provide an Early Warning Sign of Influenza Activity in the Emergency Departments of an Integrated Health System.

Seasonal influenza virus is associated with high morbidity and mortality especially in vulnerable patient populations. Here, we demonstrate the novel use of Sofia influenza A+B fluorescent immunoassay (FIA), a rapid antigen-based influenza point-of-care test (POCT), combined with Virena software for automatic deidentified tracking of influenza activity across the Los Angeles area and for predicting surges of influenza cases in the emergency department (ED). We divided outpatient clinics into 6 geographic zones and compared weekly influenza activity.