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The article discusses a study on whether the BinaxNOW pneumococcal urinary antigen (PNAG) test can be reliably performed and interpreted by personnel in an adult emergency department (ED) and whether rapid results can affect initial treatment decisions. Fifty-nine patients underwent PNAG testing in the emergency department and microbiology laboratory. Findings show that testing in the emergency department was significantly shorter. Sensitivity was also found to be at least equal to conventional culture methods.