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Improving the efficiency of infection control with rapid point-of-care PCR testing
Dr. Christophe Martinaud, Senior Director, Medical Affairs, EMEA, Cepheid, discusses how healthcare providers can improve the efficiency of infection control with rapid point-of-care PCR testing.
Healthcare systems continue to face financial pressures, workforce shortages and increasing patient numbers, making rapid and reliable diagnostics at the point of need a necessity. This article discusses how the emergence of point- of-care (POC) PCR technologies that combine lab-quality testing with simplicity and secure connectivity are making it easier than ever to streamline multiplex testing in emergency settings, helping to reduce turnaround times and improve the flow of patients. Six years on from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, its legacy continues to highlight the need for more effective diagnostic strategies. The recent winter outbreaks have not only been characterised by sustained circulation of respiratory viruses – such as SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and B, and RSV – but also by earlier seasonal peaks1
and overlapping outbreaks,
putting considerable strain on resources. Respiratory viruses were not the only pressure in the 2025/6 winter season; norovirus was a significant and disruptive burden on hospitals and community healthcare settings.2 At the same time, the healthcare system is
strained. Real-term growth in health spending has slowed compared with historical averages,3 while expectations around service delivery, preparedness and patient safety stay the same. A huge increase in demand for services means that the national four-hour standard for A&E – previously set at 95 per cent – has not been met nationally since 2014, and 2024 was the first year in which no individual provider achieved this.4 Respiratory problems continue to be common reasons for GP appointments and acute hospital visits, and are growing annually by 13 per cent,5
adding to the already significant pressure. This means that hospitals have likely had to absorb higher patient volumes and seasonal infection surges without proportional increases in resources.
The unpredictability of viral threats The seasonality of respiratory viruses makes them a challenge to healthcare providers, as they often have to deal with sudden influxes of cases. Recent influenza outbreaks have been unpredictable in both timing and severity; in 2025, the winter influenza season arrived almost a month earlier than usual, with case numbers triple that as in the same month in 2024.1 COVID-19 cases and admissions also peaked around the same time, adding further pressure to healthcare services.6
This is particularly
concerning, as comorbidities can further add to the burden of disease, increasing the rates of hospitalisation, length of stay and mortality.7
By contrast, the 2023-
24 season saw uncharacteristically low influenza activity, showing the volatility of respiratory virus patterns.8 This variability makes forward planning increasingly complex for healthcare providers, reinforcing the need for diagnostic systems that can respond quickly and flexibly to sudden shifts in viral circulation. Alongside this, norovirus still poses a significant threat to the
operation of healthcare settings. It is highly contagious and capable of
spreading rapidly through wards, potentially resulting in a high economic burden and operational strain.9
Norovirus reports show that,
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between weeks 4 and 5 of 2026, incidence rates in England were 50.6 per cent higher than the five-season average for the same two week period.2
It is thought that a variety of factors
contributed to this, such as the co-circulation of multiple norovirus genotypes, weather conditions, and changes in testing and reporting to the national surveillance programme.2 However, the incidence of norovirus has not been uniformly high throughout the season,2 instead characterised by unpredictable spikes, making planning and resource allocation even more challenging.
Rapid diagnostic testing to strengthen triage and cohorting The continued unpredictability of virus outbreaks highlights the need for fast, accurate and accessible diagnostics. Relying solely on central laboratory testing may introduce delays due to sample transport, batching processes and competing workload pressures. Laboratories already operating at or near capacity may struggle to absorb sudden spikes
in testing requests during winter months. During periods of high demand,
precautionary isolation without confirmation may exacerbate capacity pressures and drive additional costs within urgent and emergency care pathways. The average cost of loss of service and admission for influenza ranges from £1,900-3,700 depending on the length of stay and the age of the patient,10
so early exclusion
of infection has clear clinical and financial implications. The clinical consequences of a delayed or
incorrect diagnosis should form part of the economic assessment when evaluating a POC
April 2026 I
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