Current Evidence and Gaps for Outpatient Respiratory Tract Infection Diagnostics: A Call to Action

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Antimicrobial stewardship programs are crucial in outpatient settings, where 80%-90% of antibiotic consumption occurs.
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Upper respiratory tract infections account for 30% of outpatient antibiotic prescriptions, necessitating improved stewardship efforts.
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Rapid diagnostic testing can optimize antibiotic prescribing and reduce unnecessary antimicrobial use in outpatient URIs.
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Implementation of outpatient rapid diagnostic tests is challenged by workflow issues, resource limitations, and staffing shortages.
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Future evaluations of rapid diagnostic tests should focus on reducing unnecessary antibiotics and expanding point-of-care testing.

Open Forum Infectious Diseases

by Christen J Arena, Holly M Frost, Park Willis, Brian Raux, Minkey Wungwattana, Michael P Veve
October 22, 2025

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