Articles Tagged With: sensitivity
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Understanding Each COVID-19 Test’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Considering that testing over multiple days is not practical in the ED, clinicians with access to relatively rapid RT-PCR testing probably will opt for the more sensitive test. However, the antigen test offers a good option to urgent care centers or EDs that lack access to a sophisticated lab.
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AAAHC’s Allergy Benchmarking Study Highlights Inconsistencies
In a recent study, investigators found allergies sometimes were not verified or updated at each visit, there was a reliance on using the acronym NKDA (no known drug allergies), without references to other allergies or sensitivities, and overall allergic reaction documentation was inconsistent.
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Rapid Diagnostic Testing in the ED for Mononucleosis, Strep Pharyngitis, Influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, and Procalcitonin
Clinicians strive to use the most accurate tests available while also considering other factors, such as cost, ease of use, and turnaround time for results. It is important to understand the limitations of a test while interpreting the results. This issue will deal with a few of the most common rapid or point-of-care tests used in the emergency department.
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SIRS Criteria vs. qSOFA for Predicting Short-term Mortality From Sepsis
A meta-analysis that included 38 studies found the SIRS criteria had a higher sensitivity than qSOFA in predicting short-term mortality from sepsis. SIRS criteria remain useful as a screening tool for sepsis and as a prompt to initiate diagnostic work-up and treatment.