# Impact of a cerebrospinal fluid diagnostic stewardship intervention on quantity of tests, length of stay, antibiotic prescriptions, and cost

## TL;DR

A diagnostic stewardship program for cerebrospinal fluid testing in suspected meningitis did not change costs or outcomes.

## Contribution

A new diagnostic stewardship approach was implemented to reduce unnecessary cerebrospinal fluid tests.

## Key findings

- The intervention limited cerebrospinal fluid tests to seven common assays.
- There was no significant change in testing costs or clinical outcomes.
- Antibiotic prescriptions and length of stay were unaffected by the intervention.

## Abstract

Redundant and low-value cerebrospinal fluid analysis for suspected meningitis can increase costs and antimicrobial use. Our diagnostic stewardship intervention limited available infectious disease cerebrospinal fluid assays to seven common tests, including a multiplex polymerase chain reaction panel. There was no significant difference in the cost of testing or clinical outcomes.