Cost-effectiveness of rapid diagnosis of viral respiratory tract infections in pediatric patients.
Rapid diagnosis of respiratory viral infections in children resulted in significantly reduced hospital stays, antibiotic use, and laboratory utilization compared with those of a matched group of patients from the previous year who were diagnosed by virus culture. We demonstrate that rapid diagnosis of respiratory infections in children is a cost-effective procedure.
Woo
P C
PC
Department of Microbiology, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong.
Chiu
S S
SS
Seto
W H
WH
Peiris
M
M
D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics*; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics*
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D000998:Antiviral Agents