Implementing Rapid Diagnosis of Respiratory Infections in Primary Care: Evaluating the Role of ID NOW Molecular Point-of-care testing in a Pilot Model (ID 637)
Abbott Rapid Diagnostics - Infectious Diseases
Abstract
Background:
In response to NHS England’s strategy to enhance urgent care delivery in community settings, Symphony Healthcare Services piloted the General Practice Urgent Assessment Service (GPUAS) within the South Somerset West Primary Care Network. The pilot aimed to assess the impact of GPUAS on patient outcomes, system efficiency, and the role of point-of-care (POC) testing in clinical decision-making.
Methods:
Over a 19-week period (January–July 2024), GPUAS served patients from four GP practices, delivering 1,482 appointments to 1,351 patients. A total of 232 POC tests were conducted, including 168 ID NOW molecular rapid-point-of-care tests for respiratory infections Strep A, Influenza, COVID-19 assays. Mixed-methods evaluation included clinician and patient surveys, service data, and stakeholder feedback.
Results:
Clinicians reported that test IDNOW results influenced treatment decisions in 46% of cases, often altering the initial management plan. Strep A testing was the most frequently used and impactful, particularly during winter outbreaks, significantly improving antibiotic stewardship. Clinicians estimated that among 97 patients tested with ID NOW, 23 were considered to have avoided hospitalisation due to timely intervention.
Patient feedback was overwhelmingly positive: 99% appreciated immediate results, 95% trusted the test outcomes, and 49% felt testing supported appropriate care decisions. One-third of patients indicated they would have otherwise sought further GP appointments or attended emergency departments.
Financial analysis showed implementing IDNOW in the pilot yielding a net benefit of £54 per patient.
Conclusion:
Symptoms of viral and bacterial respiratory infections often overlap, making accurate diagnosis challenging. The integration of ID NOW point-of-care testing within the GPUAS significantly enhanced clinical decision-making, reduced unnecessary antibiotic use, and potentially prevented hospital admissions. The rapid turnaround of results supported timely and appropriate care, improved patient confidence, and contributed to system efficiency. These findings highlight the value of deploying rapid diagnostic tools like ID NOW in community urgent care settings to improve outcomes and reduce pressure on secondary care services.
Reference:
1) Point of care testing supports patients to receive timely respiratory care in the community - Health Innovation South West
2) General Practice Urgent Assessment Service - Symphony Healthcare Services
Funding: Abbott provided ID NOW instruments and assays, and part-funded the data collection for this study, as part of an agreement with Symphony Healthcare and Health Innovation South West. The provision devices did not influence the content of the pilot.
Conflicts of interest: None
The conference has been instigated and organised by PCRS. We are grateful to sponsors and exhibitors who have contributed funding towards this event in return for exhibition space. Neither sponsors or exhibitors have had any input into the agenda or the selection of speakers with the exception of any sponsored satellite symposia which are clearly indicated. View the full list of sponsors.
The conference social programme - dinner, drinks and disco - is not covered by sponsorship or exhibition fees.