Peer-reviewed article

2188. Provider Education and Rapid Antigen Detection Test Use in Private and Academic Pediatric Clinics

Dahl S, Hurley E, Lee B, Newland J, Bradley-Ewing A et al. · 1 Oct 2019

Abstract

Abstract Background Rapid antigen detection testing (RADT) is needed to differentiate Group A Streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis from viral pharyngitis. Guidelines do not recommend RADT in patients with viral symptoms or in children <3 years old without GAS exposure. Reduction in unnecessary RADT use may impact inappropriate antibiotic use by decreasing prescriptions in children likely colonized with GAS. We examined the impact of guideline concordant education of appropriate RADT and antibiotic use in pharyngitis on providers’ (physician and APRN) use of RADT in an academic and private pediatric primary care clinic. Methods Retrospective chart review of 1,085 healthy children, age 1–5 years old, seen in clinics between September 2015 and March 2019 (355 pre- and 730 post-education; 211 academic and 874 private). Education occurred in 3/2017. Cases selected had either complaint of sore throat, RADT, or diagnosis of GAS pharyngitis or pharyngitis. Data collected included the presence of viral symptoms (e.g., cough, rhinorrhea), RADT/GAS culture results, diagnosis, and prescribed antibiotics. RADT was deemed unnecessary for all children < 3 years old without GAS exposure, in patients with ≥ 2 viral symptoms, or in patients ≥ 3 years old without pharyngitis. Results Overall, RADT use decreased from pre to post intervention (72.1% vs. 23.4% of patients, P ≤ 0.0001). Unnecessary RADT use decreased overall (50.4% vs. 16.2%, P ≤ 0.0001), in all clinics (private: 56.2% vs. 16.0%, P ≤ 0.0001; academic: 38.1% vs. 17.4%, P = 0.0012), and with all providers (physician: 41.6% vs. 18.3%, P ≤ 0.0001; APRN: 58.8% vs. 14.1%, P ≤ 0.0001). Unnecessary RADT use decreased for children <3 years old (28.1% vs. 7.4%, P ≤ 0.0001) and ≥2 viral symptoms (65.7% vs. 16.5%, P ≤ 0.0001). Conclusion Unnecessary RADT use decreased in the post-education period overall (34%), in children <3 years old (21%), and in patients with ≥ 2 viral symptoms (49%). Reductions were also seen in both academic (21%) and private (40%) clinics as well as with both physicians (23%) and ARPNs (45%). Limitations include lack of a control group and sample size variance by the clinic. We observed positive trends in RADT reduction following provider education in private and academic settings; however, further research including control and optimal sample size is needed to confirm any direct impact. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.