Influence of the News Media on Diagnostic Testing in the Emergency Department

To examine the association between mass media attention regarding invasive group A streptococcal (GAS) disease and testing for GAS in a pediatric emergency department (ED).An observational analysis was performed of patients who had GAS tests done in a pediatric ED between December 1, 1999, and November 30, 2001. Data were analyzed by dividing each of the 2 years into 4 consecutive 90-day intervals. Data including age, date of the visit,...