Rapid POC GAS Diagnostics in the Paediatric ED

Streamlining Care Delivery in the Paediatric Emergency Department Using Rapid Point-of-care Diagnostics for Group a Streptococcus: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Randomized trial evaluating effectiveness of rapid point-of-care molecular GAS diagnostics as compared to standard culture-based techniques for the management of children aged 3-18 years of age presenting with sore throat to McMaster Children's Hospital Emergency Department.

Inclusion Criteria:

• all those presenting who have a throat swab ordered for GAS testing

Exclusion Criteria:

• those who took antibiotics effective against GAS within 72 h of ED presentation