Low-dose computed tomography and rapid molecular sputum testing in adults with suspected non-ventilator-associated hospital-acquired pneumonia: the HAP-FAST pilot sequential multiple assignment randomised trial with embedded qualitative and costing studies

Background Non-ventilator-associated hospital-acquired pneumonia (nv-HAP) diagnosis is imprecise; chest x-rays (CXR) lack detail and sputum culture delays targeted prescribing. However, the evidence base to support diagnostic improvement is sparse. We assessed the feasibility of a trial of low-dose thoracic CT and rapid molecular testing of sputum. Methods HAP-FAST was a UK NIHR funded, open-label pilot sequential multiple assignment randomised trial with qualitative and costing substudies in four UK hospitals (ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT05483309). Using research without prior consent (RWPC) and si

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