TABLE 3.
Median regression analysis showing changes in the median LOS following the introduction of rapid PCR
| Variable | No. of patients | Median LOS (h [95% CI]) | Change in LOS within the intervention groups (pre to post)a |
Adjusted DID analysisb |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unadjusted |
Adjustedb |
|||||||
| Coefficient (95% CI) | P value | Coefficient (95% CI) | P value | Coefficient (95% CI) | P value | |||
| Intervention group | ||||||||
| Regardless of test results | ||||||||
| Standard PCR | 953 | 100.9 (96.2 to 109.9) | Reference group | Reference group | Reference group | |||
| Rapid PCR | 1,209 | 101.8 (97.1 to 112.8) | 0.9 (−7.9 to 9.6) | 0.85 | −6.5 (−16.0 to 2.9) | 0.18 | −8.9 (−21.5 to 3.7) | 0.17 |
| Positive test results | ||||||||
| Standard PCR | 210 | 98.6 (94.5 to 116.9) | Reference group | Reference group | Reference group | |||
| Rapid PCR | 440 | 92.9 (81.5 to 98.6) | −5.5 (−19.9 to 8.8) | 0.45 | −21.2 (−38.0 to −4.5) | 0.01 | −21.5 (−36.8 to −6.2) | <0.01 |
| Negative test results | ||||||||
| Standard PCR | 743 | 101.4 (96.0 to 113.0) | Reference group | Reference group | Reference group | |||
| Rapid PCR | 769 | 116.2 (103.4 to 122.6) | 14.8 (2.4 to 27.1) | 0.02 | 1.4 (−10.8 to 13.5) | 0.83 | −1.2 (−14.9 to 12.4) | 0.86 |
| Subgroup analysis including only patients whose test results were returned during their stay in the hospital | ||||||||
| Regardless of test results | ||||||||
| Standard PCR | 773 | 126.0 (117.9 to 139.0) | Reference group | Reference group | Reference group | |||
| Rapid PCR | 1,182 | 104.0 (98.3 to 114.8) | −22.2 (−32.5 to −11.9) | <0.01 | −22.8 (−33.1 to −12.5) | <0.01 | −25.5 (−38.1 to −12.9) | <0.01 |
| Positive test results | ||||||||
| Standard PCR | 175 | 117.5 (100.5 to 142.8) | Reference group | Reference group | Reference group | |||
| Rapid PCR | 437 | 93.2 (82.2 to 98.6) | −24.3 (−42.0 to −6.6) | <0.01 | −27.9 (−45.2 to −10.5) | <0.01 | −33.4 (−49.5 to −17.3) | <0.01 |
| Negative test results | ||||||||
| Standard PCR | 598 | 129.7 (121.2 to 142.7) | Reference group | Reference group | Reference group | |||
| Rapid PCR | 745 | 117.9 (109.6 to 125.2) | −11.9 (−25.9 to 2.2) | 0.09 | −17.3 (−30.4 to −4.3) | <0.01 | −19.6 (−33.7 to −5.5) | <0.01 |
| Control group | ||||||||
| 2016 | 937 | 75.3 (71.0 to 80.5) | Reference group | Reference group | ||||
| 2017 | 1,102 | 78.9 (73.0 to 87.3) | 3.2 (−5.6 to 12.1) | 0.47 | 1.6 (−6.0 to 9.2) | 0.68 | Not applicable | |
a
A negative coefficient indicates a median decrease in the LOS compared to the reference group.
b
Adjusted for age, study hospital, the source of referral, intensive care admission status, mode of separation, Charlson comorbidity index and type of principal diagnosis. DID (difference-in-difference) = ΔLOS (h) in intervention group − ΔLOS (h) in control group.