Helen Peat, HCPC-registered Biomedical Scientist, and James Cottam, UK General Manager for Cepheid, examine how point-of-care multiplex PCR testing for respiratory viruses alleviates winter pressures on health systems.
Point-of-care (POC) testing allows the decentralisation of laboratory-standard diagnostics, which supports efficient patient management and enables healthcare systems to meet growing testing demands in the face of financial pressures and staff shortages. Multiplex PCR testing of respiratory viruses at the point of care is an example of this, and is particularly important during the winter flu season, contributing to more effective handling of the sharp uptake in patients seen in emergency departments in these demanding months. This article discusses the emergence of new POC PCR touchscreen technology that combines intuitive operation with secure LIS connectivity to make it easier than ever to streamline multiplex respiratory testing in emergency settings, reduce turnaround times and improve the flow of patients as we head into winter.
In recent years, respiratory health has become a central focus more than ever. We have all seen and experienced the strain of massive surges of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and B, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases that have threatened to overwhelm healthcare systems. We also all witnessed the isolation measures, lockdown, and social distancing that were put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, and noticed how this affected the transmission of all respiratory viruses. However, the return of domestic and international travel, along with large social gatherings, soon saw a resurgence of influenza and RSV strains that had previously been kept in check. The tumultuous winter seasons that immediately followed the pandemic were full of uncertainty as to the threat of these viruses, and whether healthcare settings would be able to respond quickly in the event of another, potentially different outbreak.
At the same time, healthcare funding has continued to tighten and, under current plans, the average annual growth in health funding in real terms will fall to 3% from 2019/20 to 2024/25, which is below the pre-COVID long-term annual average figures recorded in England since 1979/80.1 This has placed healthcare settings in the challenging position of needing to step up testing to ensure pandemic preparedness despite limited funding, underscoring the importance of efficient diagnostic methods. Patients are also more aware of the pressures on emergency departments through media coverage, and some are reluctant to present themselves for assessment and treatment for fear of adding to this pressure.
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