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Unmet clinical needs for COVID-19 tests in UK health and social care settings
Sara Graziadio1, Samuel G Urwin1, Paola Cocco2
1NIHR Newcastle In Vitro Diagnostics Co-operative, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust, Newcastle, United Kingdom.
Insights
Hospitals and care homes have the greatest need for COVID-19 diagnostic tests. Current testing delays impact all settings, with a demand for rapid tests for staff and screening in care homes.
Area of Science:
- Clinical diagnostics
- Public health surveillance
- Health services research
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for effective diagnostic testing strategies.
- Identifying unmet needs for diagnostic tests is crucial for developing fit-for-purpose solutions in healthcare settings.
- The UK health and social care sector required prioritized guidance on COVID-19 testing needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and prioritize unmet clinical needs for COVID-19 tests across UK health and social care settings.
- To understand the priority roles for diagnostic tests in different clinical environments.
- To inform the development of appropriate COVID-19 testing technologies.
Main Methods:
- An online survey was distributed to health and social care professionals and policymakers in the UK.
- Data were collected between May 22nd and June 15th, 2020.
- Four hundred and forty-seven responses were analyzed to identify needs and priorities.
Main Results:
- Hospitals and care homes were identified as settings with the most significant unmet needs for COVID-19 diagnostics.
- Despite better access to laboratory testing, these settings reported critical needs.
- Key needs included diagnostic tests for symptomatic individuals in hospitals and front-door screening in care homes to protect residents.
Conclusions:
- Urgent requirements exist for COVID-19 diagnostic tests in hospitals and care homes.
- Addressing the delay in test result turnaround times is a universal challenge.
- Rapid testing for staff and tests to guide antibiotic use are also critical needs across various healthcare settings.
Abstract:
There is an urgent requirement to identify which clinical settings are in most need of COVID-19 tests and the priority role(s) for tests in these settings to accelerate the development of tests fit for purpose in health and social care across the UK. This study sought to identify and prioritize unmet clinical needs for COVID-19 tests across different settings within the UK health and social care sector via an online survey of health and social care professionals and policymakers. Four hundred and forty-seven responses were received between 22nd May and 15th June 2020. Hospitals and care homes were recognized as the settings with the greatest unmet clinical need for COVID-19 diagnostics, despite reporting more access to laboratory molecular testing than other settings. Hospital staff identified a need for diagnostic tests for symptomatic workers and patients. In contrast, care home staff expressed an urgency for screening at the front door to protect high-risk residents and limit transmission. The length of time to test result was considered a widespread problem with current testing across all settings. Rapid tests for staff were regarded as an area of need across general practice and dental settings alongside tests to limit antibiotics use.
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