Herpes Simplex Virus Testing and Hospital Length of Stay in Neonates and Young Infants

Study Design: This retrospective cohort study enrolled infants age <or=56 days who underwent lumbar puncture in the emergency department in 2005-2006. The primary "exposure" was CSF HSV PCR, and the primary outcomes were LOS and hospital charges.

Results: CSF HSV PCR was performed in 282 of 889 eligible infants (31.7%). The median test turnaround time was 22 hours. The median LOS was 2 days, and median hospital charge was $10 166. In multivariate analysis, CSF HSV PCR testing was associated with a LOS increase of 28% for infants age <or=28 days and 39% for infants age 29-56 days. LOS increased by 22% for every 12-hour increase in test turnaround time. CSF HSV PCR testing was associated with a 41% increase in hospital charges.

Conclusions: In infants evaluated by lumbar puncture in the emergency department, CSF HSV PCR testing was associated with a significantly longer LOS and higher hospital charges.

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