Diagnostics
accuracy, helping to avoid the chance of novel variants evading detection to reduce false- negative results and ensure testing continues to be effective in future seasons as the viruses evolve.
Prioritising user experience POC testing can be deployed wherever it is most convenient for healthcare professionals and patients, meaning that the hardware must be compact and easily fit into almost any location outside traditional laboratory settings. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, instruments were often set up in small rooms adjacent to emergency departments to enable rapid screening of all patients on arrival. Instigating PCR testing adds to the responsibilities of already very busy frontline healthcare workers, so testing workflows must be a straightforward adjunct to their existing roles, requiring minimal investment of training and time. Devices should therefore be user friendly
with results that are easy to visualise, enabling those without experience of PCR testing to quickly and easily understand how to set up a protocol and interpret the findings. This was particularly important during the pandemic, when staff resourcing was limited, and some departments had to cope with only one assigned POC test user per shift. An intuitive, integrated touchscreen is particularly beneficial in a POC setting, as this is more compact than needing to connect the platform to a separate laptop, as well as being more secure, making it more straightforward to implement at the point of need. Secure LIS connectivity – both within a hospital and, potentially, across sites – is another essential element for effective deployment of POC approaches, as this enables decentralised testing while still ensuring a high level of oversight, quality control and
standardisation. Connectivity is especially beneficial for streamlining multiplex respiratory testing in emergency settings, as it helps to reduce turnaround times, improve triage and maintain a high standard of care even in peak periods.
Preparing to tackle a moving target Likely infection rates over the coming winter remain uncertain, but elevated instances of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 in the southern hemisphere suggest a challenging season ahead,10
Vaccination: Increasing Uptake (NG103).; 2018.
8. The Health Foundation. Health Care Funding.; 2024.
9. Livingstone R, Lin H, Brendish NJ, et al. Routine molecular point-of-care testing for SARS-CoV-2 reduces hospital-acquired COVID-19. Journal of Infection. 2022;84(4):558-565. doi:10.1016/j. jinf.2022.01.034
underscoring the urgent need for rapid
and accurate respiratory testing. Advanced POC testing using compact, user-friendly PCR devices allows quick, multi- pathogen detection close to the patient. This approach streamlines diagnostic workflows, eases the burden on busy labs, and ensures timely patient care, reducing hospital stays and limiting the spread of disease, particularly in vulnerable populations.9,10 Preparing now, by investing in POC PCR
testing, could therefore play a central role in enabling healthcare providers to respond quickly to unpredictable surges in respiratory cases, aiding infection control and contributing to better patient outcomes. Looking ahead, POC testing technology is poised to expand beyond respiratory illnesses, offering benefits across various medical fields, from infectious diseases to chronic condition management, ensuring timely and precise results to enhance patient care.
References 1. UK Government. Surveillance of Influenza and Other Seasonal Respiratory Viruses in the UK, Winter 2023 to 2024.; 2024.
2. UK Government. UKHSA data dashboard.
https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/.
3. NHS England. New respiratory syncytial virus vaccine to protect millions most at risk this winter.
https://www.england.nhs.uk/blog/ new-respiratory-syncytial-virus-vaccine-to- protect-millions-most-at-risk-this-winter/.
4. Rand Europe. The Burden of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Adults in the UK.; 2024.
5. World Health Organization. Laboratory testing for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in suspected human cases. Interim guidance.
https://www.who.int/publications/i/ item/10665-331501. Published online March 19, 2020.
6. Sethuraman N, Jeremiah SS, Ryo A. Interpreting Diagnostic Tests for SARS-CoV-2. JAMA. 2020;323(22):2249. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.8259
7. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Resource Impact Report: Flu
22
www.clinicalservicesjournal.com I December 2024
10. Stolberg-Stolberg J, Jacob E, Kuehn J, et al. COVID-19 rapid molecular point-of-care testing is effective and cost-beneficial for the acute care of trauma patients. European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery. 2023;49(1):487- 493. doi:10.1007/s00068-022-02091-x
About the authors
CSJ
Helen Peat is a retired, HCPC-registered biomedical scientist, and worked in various positions within the NHS for almost 40 years, where she developed a passion for point-of- care testing. Prior to her retirement, Helen was the Biochemistry, Immunology, Toxicology and POCT Laboratory Manager at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.
James Cottam obtained a PhD in molecular medical microbiology, and has held several prestigious roles at major industry players over the course of his working career. He joined Cepheid in 2015 and became General Manager of the Cepheid UK division in May 2023.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64
