Targeted Rapid Testing for SARS-CoV-2 in the Emergency Department is Associated with Large Reductions in Uninfected Patient Exposure Time

Hinson, Jeremiah S.; Rothman, Richard E.; Carroll, Karen; Mostafa, Heba H.; Ghobadi, Kimia; Smith, Aria; Martinez, Diego; Shaw-Saliba, Kathryn; Klein, Eili; Levin, Scott

Opportunity exists to decrease healthcare-related exposure to SARS-CoV-2, preserve infection control resources and increase care capacity by reducing the time to diagnosis of COVID-19. We performed a retrospective cohort analysis to measure the effect of targeted rapid molecular testing for SARS-CoV-2 on these outcomes. In comparison to standard-platform testing, rapid testing was associated with a 65.6% reduction (12.6 hours) in median time to removal from isolation cohort for patients with negative diagnostic results. This translated to an increase in COVID-19 treatment capacity of 3,028 bed hours and 7,500 less patient interactions that required consumption of personal protective equipment per week.