Abstract
BackgroundDuring the 2017/18 and 2018/19 influenza seasons, molecular amplification-based point-of-care tests (mPOCT) were introduced in Scotland to aid triaging respiratory patients for hospital admission, yet communication of results to national surveillance was unaccounted for.AimThis retrospective study aims to describe steps taken to capture mPOCT data and assess impact on influenza surveillance.MethodsQuestionnaires determined mPOCT usage in 2017/18 and 2018/19. Searches of the Electronic Communication of Surveillance in Scotland (ECOSS) database were performed and compared with information stored in laboratory information management systems. Effect of incomplete data on surveillance was determined by comparing routine against enhanced data and assessing changes in influenza activity levels determined by the moving epidemic method.ResultsThe number of areas employing mPOCT increased over the two seasons (6/14 in 2017/18 and 8/14 in 2018/19). Analysis of a small number of areas (n = 3) showed capture of positive mPOCT results in ECOSS improved between seasons and remained high (> 94%). However, capture of negative results was incomplete. Despite small discrepancies in weekly activity assessments, routine data were able to identify trend, start, peak and end of both influenza seasons.ConclusionThis study has shown an improvement in capture of data from influenza mPOCT and has highlighted issues that need to be addressed for results to be accurately captured in national surveillance. With the clear benefit to patient management we suggest careful consideration should be given to the connectivity aspects of the technology in order to ensure minimal impact on national surveillance.
Highlights
Point-of-care tests (POCT) for influenza have been available since the late 1990s [1]
According to additional comments received in the questionnaires, training in the first instance was usually performed by the molecular amplification-based pointof-care tests (mPOCT) manufacturers, with some departments supplementing this with training by laboratory staff
The 2017/18 influenza season was dominated by influenza A(H3N2) which is more likely to affect the elderly population [15], but with a noticeable tail of Influenza B cases which affects both the young and the elderly [16]. mPOCTs were rapidly introduced by health boards across Scotland and this study reports the consequential difficulties of this technology for the national microbiological surveillance of influenza
Summary
Point-of-care tests (POCT) for influenza have been available since the late 1990s [1]. The national influenza surveillance is composed of laboratory results from diagnostic and reference laboratories These are transferred electronically from individual laboratory information management systems (LIMS) to the Electronic Communication of Surveillance in Scotland (ECOSS) database, managed by Health Protection Scotland (HPS). During the 2017/18 and 2018/19 influenza seasons, molecular amplification-based pointof-care tests (mPOCT) were introduced in Scotland to aid triaging respiratory patients for hospital admission, yet communication of results to national surveillance was unaccounted for. Effect of incomplete data on surveillance was determined by comparing routine against enhanced data and assessing changes in influenza activity levels determined by the moving epidemic method. Analysis of a small number of areas (n = 3) showed capture of positive mPOCT results in ECOSS improved between seasons and remained high (> 94%). With the clear benefit to patient management we suggest careful consideration should be given to the connectivity aspects of the technology in order to ensure minimal impact on national surveillance
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Schedule a callMore From: Euro surveillance : bulletin Europeen sur les maladies transmissibles = European communicable disease bulletin
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