Speakers
Fiona Riddoch
Parallel session
In this session, we’ll explore how point of care testing continues to revolutionise clinical decision-making, particularly in critical and high-acuity settings. We’ll cover a range of topics, branching out from traditional POCT disciplines, including MT-RNR1 gene testing in neonates with sepsis to detect susceptibility to aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity, a crucial step in preventing hearing loss and later need for cochlear implants. We’ll also discuss how POCT can be used in the management of traumatic brain injury to reduce unnecessary CT scans, improving patient care, minimizing radiation exposure and reducing the burden on radiology departments. Additionally, we’ll look at the role of POC testing in urinary tract infections, and its vital contribution to antimicrobial stewardship, helping to optimize treatment at the first encounter and prevent overprescription. These advancements are setting new standards in healthcare, improving patient outcomes, and enhancing resource efficiency. We’re excited to share insights into these cutting-edge developments and their impact on clinical practice.
Chair: Fiona Riddoch
9.30 Genetic POCT – Greater Manchester POCT network experience - Sharman Harris
10.00 AMS for urinary tract infections in the community; a role for point-of-care testing? Philip Turner
Acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI) are one of the commonest presentations in primary care settings. Around half of all women experience one or more episodes in their lifetimes and a quarter of all culture-positive infections are associated with resistant uropathogens. European estimates have shown that although approximately 30% of symptomatic primary care patients have a culturable infection, the majority receive antibiotics. Safe optimisation of antibiotic prescribing is a key element of AMS, however existing diagnostics for UTI accessible to acute care settings are insufficient to influence immediate decision making, being either too slow or adding minimal diagnostic value.
Recent years have witnessed the emergence of multiple novel point-of-care diagnostics for UTI, with assays of sufficient interest to motivate the publication of NICE Early Value Assessment HTE7 on this subject and with one candidate awarded the prestigious Longitude Prize on AMR. During this talk we will explore the role point-of-care tests for UTI might play in antimicrobial stewardship in community healthcare settings, with reference to the technologies under investigation within the plaTform fOr Urinary tract infection diagnostiC evAluatioN (TOUCAN) study.
10.30 Traumatic brain injury POCT
Fiona trained as a Clinical Scientist in Biochemistry. Currently employed as a Consultant Clinical Scientist for POCT in Berkshire and Surrey Pathology Services (BSPS); the service covers 5 acute NHS Trusts, and multiple community services. Over the last 5 years she has developed multidisciplinary clinical and technical expertise needed for POCT, and in particular focussing on IT, risk management and analytical & clinical verification of POCT analysers, using these skills to support the BSPS POCT team in achieving accreditation against ISO:15189(2022) for our multi-site blood gas analyser service. She has led the BSPS POCT team on national verification projects, including multiple SARS-CoV-2 and winter multiplex methods on behalf of NHS England, being an exemplary verification and implementation site for POCT in Hospital@Home services; working to provide evidence that can be used nationally to support implementation of POCT CRP and high-sensitivity troponin. She has won national awards for quality improvement projects and clinical audit, by demonstrating clinical impact and patient benefit of pathology services.
Dr Phil Turner is a senior researcher in the Infections, Respiratory and Acute care Research Group and the Director of Operations of the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Community Healthcare based at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences at the University of Oxford. His research interests include the diagnosis and management of common infections and approaches to antimicrobial stewardship in community healthcare settings. Recent activities include co-leadership of the RAPTOR-C19 evaluations of point-of-care tests for SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses in community care, trial management support for the trans-European VALUE-Dx PRUDENCE RCT of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of diagnostic interventions for RTI, and co-investigation on the NIHR and NHSE-funded TOUCAN evaluation of novel diagnostics for acute uncomplicated UTI.
Pronouns: He/him/his