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Extended Viral PCR: Does It Help?

Researchers evaluate whether extended viral PCR testing is associated with antibiotic use and length of stay in adult inpatients.

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A retrospective audit at a tertiary hospital in Australia evaluated the impact of extended respiratory viral PCR testing on hospital length of stay and antibiotic use among adult patients with respiratory infections. The study, which analyzed 941 tests from April to August 2024, found no significant differences in hospital stay or antibiotic duration between standard and extended testing groups. Notably, 33% of cases tested positive, with rhinovirus and influenza A being the most common pathogens. The authors reported a lack of objective benefit from extended testing, concluding that testing beyond influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and RSV did not influence management outcomes.

Original Source(s)

Extended Viral PCR: Does It Help?

  • by Kathryn Wighton

  • March 30, 2026

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