Benefits and hurdles of rapid testing as point of care

In this video, Dr Kay Roy explores the benefits and hurdles of syndromic testing in the specific context of point-of-care.

The cost of running syndromic testing panels as well as training staff to the appropriate laboratory level to prevent operator-dependent interpretation of results is a challenge of implementing syndromic testing. Additionally, IT systems are needed to facilitate the communication of results. Incorporating this testing into the current workflow and ensuring that the quality assurance is under the remit of the appropriate accreditation is an additional challenge.

However, despite the challenges, syndromic testing has multiple benefits. Syndromic testing may be used as a point-of-care test (POCT) to offer a faster turnaround time for results. This quick turnaround time may allow targeted therapy to be given as the first treatment option as determined by the syndromic test, rather than starting the patient on empirical therapy.

Additionally, the identification of microbes — including those not routinely tested for such as viruses — allows more appropriate antimicrobials to be used, thus improving antimicrobial stewardship.

In the next step, Dr Roy highlights how the challenges presented can be overcome by adopting a multidisciplinary approach.

The reference cited in the video has been provided as a link in the see also section.