Rapid Diagnosis of Viral Acute Respiratory Infection to Decrease Unnecessary Antibiotic Utilization in the Emergency Department (RADIATE)
The study titled " The Effect of Definitive Identification of Viral Etiology in Emergency Department Patients with Acute Respiratory Infection on Antibiotic Utilization (RADIATE)" aims to investigate the effectiveness of a rapid diagnostic approach in reducing unnecessary antibiotic use in the emergency department (ED) for patients presenting with acute respiratory illness (ARI) due to a virus. Using a prospective design, eligible participants are individuals who visit the ED with complaints related to acute respiratory illness. The study will employ a single-arm consecutive enrollment approach. The intervention involves the implementation of a rapid point-of-care multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to promptly identify the viral cause of the infection. By utilizing a rapid diagnostic tool to identify viral etiology, the study aims to provide healthcare professionals in the ED with more accurate information to guide treatment decisions. Ultimately, the goal is to decrease the unnecessary use of antibiotics for ARI's due to a virus, which has several negative outcomes including promotion of antibiotic resistance, exacerbating ED length of stay and encouraging unnecessary additional diagnostic tests.
- EligibilityCriteria: Inclusion Criteria:  Over the age of 18 Clinical suspicion of an acute respiratory infection by an emergency department provider Patient endorses at least ONE symptom of respiratory illness including: cough, sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, headaches, muscle aches, trouble breathing, shortness of breath, fever Patient reports symptoms lasting less than 14 days (i.e., no chronic symptoms) Patient able to provide informed consent  Exclusion Criteria:  Patient is a prisoner or ward of state Patients that will get antibiotics regardless of of the results of the test (e.g. sepsis, hypoxia, shock, lobar pneumonia, altered mental status, meningitis, pyelonephritis, appendicitis or related, high clinical severity not otherwise specified Patients who have tested positive for C. diff in the last 60 days Patients who are hospitalized from the emergency department Patients that have an oxygen saturation lower than 95% at triage Altered mental status - HealthyVolunteers: No - Gender: All - MinimumAge: 18 Years - StdAgeList: Adult, Older Adult