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. 2024 Apr 25;45(9):1-5.
doi: 10.1017/ice.2024.72. Online ahead of print.

Implementation of point-of-care molecular testing for respiratory viruses in congregate living settings

Charlie Tan  1   2 , Christina K Chan  1 , Marianna Ofner  1   3 , Jaclyn O'Brien  1 , Neethu R Thomas  1 , James Callahan  4 , Brigitte Pascual  4 , Shawn J Palmer  4 , Victoria Serapion  4 , Hannah Fabro  4 , Robert A Kozak  5 , Heather Candon  1   6 , Adrienne K Chan  1   2   3 , Jeff E Powis  2   4 , Jerome A Leis  1   2
Affiliations

Implementation of point-of-care molecular testing for respiratory viruses in congregate living settings

Charlie Tan et al. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. .

Abstract

Objective: To implement and evaluate a point-of-care (POC) molecular testing platform for respiratory viruses in congregate living settings (CLS).

Design: Prospective quality improvement study.

Setting: Seven CLS, including three nursing homes and four independent-living facilities.

Participants: Residents of CLS.

Methods: A POC platform for COVID-19, influenza A and B, and respiratory syncytial virus was implemented at participating CLS from December 1, 2022 to April 15, 2023. Residents with respiratory symptoms underwent paired testing, with respiratory specimens tested first with the POC platform and then delivered to an off-site laboratory for multiplex respiratory virus panel (MRVP) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as per standard protocol. Turn-around time and diagnostic accuracy of the POC platform were compared against MRVP PCR. In an exploratory analysis, time to outbreak declaration among participating CLS was compared against a convenience sample of 19 CLS that did not use the POC platform.

Results: A total of 290 specimens that underwent paired testing were included. Turn-around time to result was significantly shorter with the POC platform compared to MRVP PCR, with median difference of 36.2 hours (interquartile range 21.8-46.4 hours). The POC platform had excellent diagnostic accuracy compared to MRVP PCR, with area under the curve statistic of .96. Time to outbreak declaration was shorter in CLS that used the POC platform compared to CLS that did not.

Conclusion: Rapid POC testing platforms for respiratory viruses can be implemented in CLS, with high diagnostic accuracy, expedited turn-around times, and shorter time to outbreak declaration.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr. Jerome Leis has provided expert testimony for the Ontario Hospital Association, Ministry of the Attorney General in Ontario, and Seneca College. None of the other authors have conflicts of interest to declare.

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