Automated molecular diagnostics is proving to be a valuable tool in the management of influenza and norovirus outbreaks. Here, the benefits of this approach are highlighted by the experiences of three district general hospitals.
Rapid diagnostics for influenza and norovirus can have a significant impact on patient care and bed management, making efficient virology testing an important tool to help busy hospitals avoid preventable ward closures and avert a winter care crisis. Despite this, many hospitals rely on a reference laboratory to perform their virology testing workload, due to a lack of on-site virology expertise or equipment.
Automated molecular diagnostics eliminates the need for labour-intensive and complex manual testing procedures, enabling reliable and reproducible polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based testing with minimal hands-on time. This allows on-site, on-demand testing and ensures faster results, better infection control, and reduced bed blocking, helping to improve overall efficiency and the flow of patients through the hospital.
Dealing with the impact of infectious diseases
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