Impact of Routine Respiratory Pathogen Panel Test on Outcome of Pediatric Oncology Patients With Febrile Neutropenia

Routine respiratory pathogen panel testing, in the absence of RPP-guided changes in clinical management, was not associated with reductions in hospital length of stay or overall duration of febrile neutropenia. While identification of specific viral pathogens-such as parainfluenza viruses-was associated with shorter clinical courses, these findings reflect pathogen-specific associations rather than an effect of RPP testing itself. Consequently, this study does not provide sufficient evidence to support the routine use of respiratory pathogen panels in children admitted with febrile neutropenia under current clinical practice.