Clinical Impact Of Rapid Molecular Diagnostics For Respiratory Viruses In Emergency Care: A Retrospective Study From A Tertiary Hospital In Riyadh

Background: Rapid molecular diagnostic tests are now important tools in emergency care because they can detect respiratory viruses more quickly than traditional PCR. This study examined their effect on clinical workflow and patient management in a tertiary hospital in Riyadh. Methods: A retrospective observational study was carried out between October 2023 and August 2025. It compared patients tested with rapid molecular platforms to those tested with traditional PCR. The main outcomes were turnaround time and the length of stay in the emergency department. Secondary outcomes included the use of antibiotics and antivirals, isolation decisions, and hospital admission rates. Results: A total of 633 patients were studied, with 328 tested by rapid methods and 305 by PCR. Rapid testing showed a much shorter turnaround time (1.2 vs. 8.6 hours, p = 0.001) and a reduced emergency department stay (4.3 vs. 6.1 hours, p = 0.004). Patients in the rapid test group used fewer antibiotics (21.3% vs. 38.9%, p = 0.002) but received more antivirals (47.6% vs. 33.4%, p = 0.015). Correct isolation was also better in this group (92.1% vs. 70.5%, p < 0.001). Admission rates were similar in both groups. Conclusion: Rapid molecular diagnostics greatly reduced turnaround time and improved clinical decisions. These findings support their use as part of emergency care workflows in busy tertiary hospitals.