Background: Elevated white blood cells (WBC) in blood and C-reactive protein (CRP) in serum are often used as non-specific markers for bacterial etiology of infection in children. The aim of the present study was to evaluate how rapid WBC and CRP testing influences patient flow and cost in the pediatric emergency room (ER).
Methods: This study was a retrospective chart review. In all, 166 children who were treated during 3 months in the ER of a children's hospital, and in whom rapid tests for WBC and CRP were done, were included. The association between rapid testing and length of ER stay was evaluated, and the cost of rapid tests was compared with the corresponding cost if done in the hospital laboratory.
Results: Median ER stay was 147.5 min, if no examinations other than rapid CRP and WBC tests were done and if no emergency treatment was given, compared with 201.5 min for laboratory tests or emergency treatment given (P < 0.001). The respective figures were 142.5 min and 179.5 min in those 96 children discharged home (P = 0.003). The cost of rapid testing was only 41.5% of the corresponding laboratory cost.
Conclusion: The simultaneous rapid testing of CRP and WBC in children with presumable infection decreased cost and shortened the length of ER stay, if no other examinations or emergency treatment were needed. The cost of rapid testing was less than half of the corresponding cost in laboratory.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ped.12353 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Predicting the risk of hematoma expansion in acute intracerebral hemorrhage: the GIVE score.
BMC Neurol
January 2025
Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, NO1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China.
Background: Numerous noncontrast computed tomography (NCCT) markers have been reported and validated as effective predictors of hematoma expansion (HE). Our objective was to develop and validate a score based on NCCT markers and clinical characteristics to predict risk of HE in acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) patients.
Methods: We prospectively collected spontaneous ICH patients at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University to form the development cohort (n = 395) and at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University to establish the validation cohort (n = 139).
Cutting through the noise: A narrative review of Alzheimer's disease plasma biomarkers for routine clinical use.
J Prev Alzheimers Dis
January 2025
Clinical Memory Research Unit, Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Memory Clinic, Skåne University Hospital, Sweden. Electronic address:
As novel, anti-amyloid therapies have become more widely available, access to timely and accurate diagnosis has become integral to ensuring optimal treatment of patients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease (AD). Plasma biomarkers are a promising tool for identifying AD pathology; however, several technical and clinical factors need to be considered prior to their implementation in routine clinical use. Given the rapid pace of advancements in the field and the wide array of available biomarkers and tests, this review aims to summarize these considerations, evaluate available platforms, and discuss the steps needed to bring plasma biomarker testing to the clinic.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMultiplex lateral flow test sensitivity and specificity in detecting influenza A, B and SARS-CoV-2 in adult patients in a UK emergency department.
Emerg Med J
January 2025
UK Health Security Agency, London, UK.
Background: Rapid identification of individuals with acute respiratory infections is crucial for preventing nosocomial infections. For rapid diagnosis, especially in EDs, lateral flow devices (LFDs) are a convenient, inexpensive option with a rapid turnaround. Several 'multiplex' LFDs (M-LFDs) now exist, testing for multiple pathogens from a single swab sample.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDevelopment and validation of a rapid and accurate ultra performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array method for concurrent quantification of thirty-two polyphenols in edible fruit of Cordia myxa Linn.
J Chromatogr A
December 2024
Chemical Technology Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur (Himachal Pradesh), 176061, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India. Electronic address:
The aim of current work was to develop a novel, simple, sensitive, and reliable method for screening and quantification of thirty-two polyphenol compounds from Cordia myxa (C. myxa) using Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography Photodiode Array detector (UPLC-PDA). With the help of the quaternary solvent manager and a comparison study of seven different columns packed with silica particles that are less than two micron thick (1.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNovel Neurocognitive Testing Tool for Early Neurotoxicity Detection Following Anti-CD19 and Anti-BCMA Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell Therapy: A Pilot Study.
Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk
December 2024
Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program, Dartmouth Cancer Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH.
Background: Immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) can be a severe, life-threatening toxicity following CAR T-cell therapy. While currently evaluated by the immune effector cell-associated encephalopathy (ICE) score, not all patients have changes in their ICE score and not all signs and symptoms of neurotoxicity are captured.
Methods: We conducted a prospective, single center cohort pilot study to evaluate a novel, rapid neurocognitive assessment tool (CART-NS) in detecting early, subtle neurotoxicity prior to the onset of ICANS and any deterioration in the ICE score.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!