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Decrease Antibiotic and Steroid Prescribing While Increasing Clinician Confidence: The Strong Case for a Novel Rapid Multiplex PCR in Urgent Care

By the bioMérieux Editors | Reading time: 2 min

PUBLICATION DATE: February 19, 2026


Combining an antibiotic stewardship program (ASP) with a 15-pathogen viral panel to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing.1

Background

Acute upper respiratory tract infections (ARIs) frequently result in unnecessary antibiotic prescribing in outpatient settings, contributing to antibiotic resistance and avoidable adverse outcomes. Approximately 60% of all antibiotic use occurs in the outpatient setting, with 28% of antibiotics inappropriately prescribed.

Although ASPs have been shown to reduce inappropriate prescribing, ASPs targeted to the outpatient setting are uncommon.

This study investigated the effectiveness of a rapid (approximately 15-minute turnaround) multiplex PCR diagnostic tool in adult urgent care patients with suspected ARI using a 15-plex respiratory panel on the BIOFIRE® SPOTFIRE® System.

Key Takeaways 

  • Antibiotic and steroid prescribing rates dropped by approximately one-third, with inappropriate antibiotic use decreased by almost half.
  • Among 147 clinicians participating in a post-intervention survey, 131 (89%) selected 4 or 5 on a 5-point Likert scale rating their confidence (1, less confident; 5, more confident) in not prescribing antibiotics after receiving SPOTFIRE panel results.
  • Implementing a point-of-care multi-respiratory pathogen molecular test combined with ASP interventions can significantly reduce unnecessary antibiotic and steroid prescribing in urgent care settings. This approach can help combat antibiotic resistance and improve prescribing practices.

Read the full Microbiology Spectrum article here. 

doctor-nurse-spotfire

1 PCR Test. Up to 15 Targets. ~15 Minutes.

Why BIOFIRE® SPOTFIRE®?

The BIOFIRE® SPOTFIRE® Respiratory/Sore Throat (R/ST) Panels bring PCR diagnostics closer to the patient. The CLIA-waived panels offer the flexibility to choose either respiratory and sore throat testing based on the patient’s signs and symptoms—all in one rapid test. The panels’ versatility, speed, accuracy, and comprehensiveness are designed to empower clinicians to provide patient results during their visit.

Learn More

References:

  1. Arnold CG, et al. Combining an antibiotic stewardship program with a 15-pathogen viral panel to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. Microbiology Spectrum. 0:e02195-25

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