A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Use of Rapid Molecular Testing for Staphylococcus Aureus for Patients With Cutaneous Abscesses in the Emergency Department With Standard of Care.
A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Use of Rapid Molecular Testing for Staphylococcus Aureus for Patients With Cutaneous Abscesses in the Emergency Department With Standard of Care.
This study expands upon pilot data for feasibility since May 2011. The study aims to evaluate the effect of rapid test availability on use of targeted spectrum antibiotics for non-MRSA abscesses in ambulatory patients in the Emergency Department (ED). The multi-institutional study will assess the feasibility of providing the GeneXpert® MRSA/SA SSTI assay to the ED and evaluate the impact of delivering the test result to clinicians in real-time on patient management decisions regarding the use of antimicrobial agents. Patients are randomized to standard culture (control arm) or to the GeneXpert® assay plus standard culture.
Our objective was to determine whether real-time availability of rapid molecular results of Staphylococcus aureus would impact emergency department clinician antimicrobial selection for adults with cutaneous abscesses.
We performed a prospective, randomized controlled trial in two urban emergency departments comparing a rapid molecular test with standard of care culture-based testing. Follow-up telephone calls were made at between 2 and 7 days, 1 month, and 3 months after discharge.
Patients at least 18 years old presenting with a chief complaint of abscess, cellulitis, or insect bite and receiving incision and drainage were eligible. Seven hundred seventy-eight people were assessed for eligibility and 252 met eligibility criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: