194. Rapid diagnostic testing to improve management of suspected chlamydia and gonorrhea in adolescents in a Pediatric Emergency Department

Abstract

Abstract Background Standard turnaround times for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) testing result in unnecessary antibiotic use for patients without infection and undertreatment of patients with infection(s). We aimed to determine the impact of rapid CT/GC testing on reducing unnecessary antibiotic use, undertreatment of CT and/or GC, and length of stay in an urban safety-net pediatric emergency department (PED). Methods Before 2020, testing for CT/GC was performed using a batched nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT; Hologic Aptima Combo2) with results available the following day. Starting January 2020, the GeneXpert rapid NAAT (Cepheid Xpert CT/NG) with turnaround time between 90-120 minutes was available. Our primary outcome variables were under- and over-treatment. Undertreatment was defined as GC and/or CT positive patients who did not receive appropriate antibiotic treatment in the PED. Overtreatment was defined as GC or CT negative patients who received antibiotic treatment in the PED. Under- and over-treatment percentages were plotted on Statistical Process Control p charts. The balancing measure was length of stay (LOS). Results There were 739 patients evaluated in the baseline period (2019), 631 in the intervention period (2020) and 626 in the post-intervention period (2021). There were no differences in gender, race, ethnicity, and insurance across the 3 time periods. After introduction of the GeneXpert, over-treatment decreased from 18.4% to 8.1% (Figure). Under-treatment did not differ. Median turnaround for the GeneXpert was 119 minutes. Median LOS in minutes increased from 165 minutes (baseline) to 182 minutes (intervention) and 202 minutes (post-intervention; p< .001). Percentage of patients over-treated for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Conclusion Rapid CT/GC testing substantially reduced unnecessary antibiotic use but increased LOS. Given the rapid increases in CT/GC rates and antimicrobial resistance health systems should consider implementation of rapid testing to appropriately direct antimicrobials to patients most likely to benefit. A more rapid test would likely increase appropriate antibiotic use and limit impact on LOS. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures.