Contribution of a rapid influenza diagnostic test to manage hospitalized patients with suspected influenza

•Alere i influenza A&B is a sensitive technic for the diagnosis of influenza A.•Sensitivity for influenza B was poor but calculated only with 11 positive samples.•Rapid diagnostic of influenza can help to better apply management guidelines.•Influenza tests could help prevent unnecessary investigations and treatments.•Contribution is higher when results are delivered as patients are still in the ER.

AimTo evaluate the performances of the Alere i influenza A&B test and to appraise its contribution to patient management.MethodsIn total, 267 samples were tested. Influenza A and B PCR was performed as the reference. For each positive result, the supervising physician was contacted to collect data regarding patient management.FindingsThe overall sensitivity and specificity of the Alere i were 91.4% and 97.6% for influenza A and 54.5% and 98.8% for influenza B, respectively. More specifically, when used in the emergency room (ER), the test helped avoid 10.7% of hospitalizations, 46.4% of antibiotic prescriptions and 42.9% of additional investigations for positive patients. The test was also helpful in instituting the prescription of oseltamivir and patient isolation.ConclusionAlere i influenza A&B is a rapid, sensitive and specific diagnostic test for influenza A. Sensitivity for influenza B was poor. Its usefulness was more important when patients were still in the ER.