Point of Care Testing for Infectious Disease in Europe: A Scoping Review and Survey Study

Abstract

Background: Point of care testing (POCT) for infectious diseases is testing conducted near the patient. It allows clinicians to offer the most appropriate treatment more quickly. As POCT devices have increased in accuracy and become more cost-effective, their use has grown, but a systematic assessment of their use for clinical and public health management of infectious diseases in EU/EEA countries has not been previously undertaken.Methods: A scoping review of the literature on POCT in EU/ EEA countries as at November 2019, and a survey of key stakeholders.Results: 350 relevant articles were identified and 54 survey responses from 26 EU/EEA countries were analysed. POCT is available for a range of infectious diseases and in all countries responding to the survey (for at least one disease). POCT is commonly available for influenza, HIV/AIDS, Legionnaires' disease and malaria, where it is used in at least half of EU/EEA countries. While POCT has the potential to support many improvements to clinical care of infectious diseases (e.g., faster diagnosis, more appropriate use of antimicrobials), the results suggest POCT is infrequently used to support public health functions (e.g., disease surveillance and reporting).Conclusion: Although POCT is in use to some extent in all EU/EEA countries, the full benefits of POCT in wider public health functions have yet to be realised. Further research on barriers and facilitators to implementation is warranted.

A Rapid Antimicrobial Resistance Diagnostic Platform for Staphylococcus aureus Using Recombinase Polymerase Amplification

“…For that reason, accurate and early identification of resistant isolates is a key objective of clinical microbiology, and point-of-care testing (POCT) has become a critical tool in laboratory operations ( 20 , 21 ). POCT refers to a portable mobile detection system that is close to the test sample in a nonlaboratory environment and immediately reports the results ( 22 – 24 ). It has also become a critical detection technology for various specific pathogens ( 25 – 34 ).…”

Printable biosensors towards next-generation point-of-care testing: paper substrate as an example

“…A rapid and precise diagnosis could also help reduce the misusage of antimicrobials, preventing the potential of antimicrobial resistance. 180 Integrated with intelligent signal readouts, we believe that the POCT will become one of the most important application fields of printable paper-based biosensors in the coming future. However, printable paper-based biosensors still have challenges in POCT.…”

Point of care testing and health parameter assessment in community pharmacy setting

“…ey are excluded by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment, and allow for quick, non-invasive screening at various settings including home and clinical settings. [1] Following the absence of symptoms at early stages of most chronic diseases, their existence is mostly noticed at onset of complications. [2] erefore, regular screening is essential for early diagnosis and care.…”

“…Point of care screening for communicable diseases have also gained wide popularity and usage. [1,3] As the most frequent symptoms of communicable diseases (such as COVID-19), elevation of body temperature and respiratory rate (RR) are vital signs for point of care screening for communicable diseases. [4] It is noteworthy that basic health parameters are determinants of health status of individuals, and require regular monitoring for early detection and management of health-related conditions, particularly chronic diseases.…”