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- Brendish NJ
- Poole S
- Naidu VV
- et al.
The reduction in response time in the point-of-care testing group was impressive, especially considering that 6 months later, more than 10% of patients in English hospitals still have to wait more than 24 hours for coronavirus 2 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV -2) PCR test results.
Weekly statistics for NHS Test and Trace (England) and coronavirus tests (UK): October 15 to October 21.
We agree that rapid diagnostics offer numerous benefits, but there remains a substantial challenge in optimal implementation. At our hospital (Homerton University Hospital, London, UK) we have had access to another rapid diagnostic PCR (Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2; Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) that provides results similarly in 1 hour. Compared to the study by Brendish and colleagues, in which point-of-care testing was available to all patients at the time of hospital admission, we have used rapid tests at the doctor’s request, for example, to report a specific patient cohort decision or whether it was a substantial diagnostic uncertainty.
- Kucirka LM
- Lauer SA
- Laeyendecker O
- Blessing D
- Lessler J
False negatives drive clinically based patient management. In the study by Brendish and colleagues, 13% of patients in each group were transferred to a definitive area (i.e., a room designated for COVID-19 negative or COVID-19 positive) with no results, or the clinical decision was made. to ignore the test result. All test results may need to be combined with other parameters to estimate the true risk of infection.
- Brendish NJ
- Poole S
- Naidu VV
- et al.
Although more treatments are now available, the patients most likely to benefit from specific COVID-19 treatments are those with a more severe disease and therefore are also likely to be treated empirically.
- Rao SN
- Manissero D
- Steele VR
- Couple J
,
- Bids E
- Chaudhry F
- McBride R
- et al.
because rapid tests could be used for early prognosis.
Finally, it is necessary to assess the cost effectiveness of using rapid diagnostics such as these, which are substantially more expensive than batch laboratory PCR tests, and is particularly relevant because the main benefits of such tests are improved patient flow in clinic location. nature.
We declare that there are no competing interests.
References
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Clinical Impact of Point of Care Molecular Testing for Suspicion of COVID-19 in Hospital (COV-19POC): A Prospective, Interventional, Non-Randomized, Controlled Study.
Lancet Respir Med. 2020; ()
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Weekly statistics for NHS Test and Trace (England) and coronavirus tests (UK): October 15 to October 21.
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Ann Intern Med. 2020; 173: 262-267
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Posted: November 12, 2020
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(20)30526-9
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