Hospitalized, critically ill patients need accurate, and timely administration of antimicrobial agents, which is essential to prevent mortality. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have revolutionized management for these patients and become one of the most powerful tools for antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs). With the availability of many RDT options, diagnostic stewardship is an essential component of ASPs enabling teams to select the right test, for the right patient, at the right time. Global considerations to assess when choosing RDT platforms include, but are not limited to, institutional or regional problematic pathogens, the patient population served (i.e., pediatric, adult, or geriatric; immunocompromised vs general community), laboratory hours, location (i.e., centralized or decentralized), operations and workflow, and leadership support. Authors in this study, outline the specific practical considerations for FDA-cleared RDTs and discuss the awareness of the benefits they may provide, along with a critical assessment of institutional needs, that help optimize patient care while minimizing harm associated with inappropriate antimicrobial use.
Link to the article: https://tinyurl.com/2p962uj6
Published On: /04/2023
