Faster disease testing trialled at Base

GRAMPIANS Health has joined a trial of in-situ testing equipment that’s aimed at improving the speed of COVID-19 and influenza detection in the Ballarat Base Hospital’s Emergency Department.

The system allows for faster testing for COVID-19 or the flu in the hopes it’ll speed up patient triage.

The trial is being sponsored by biotechnology company DiaSorin and will be led by Dr Rob Commons, an infectious disease specialist.

The study aims to address challenges often faced by Emergency Department staff like prolonged turnaround times for test results.

Historically, polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, tests take a day or more to get results and rapid antigen tests can take two to four hours and often have inconsistent availability.

“Recognising these obstacles, our hospital has partnered with DiaSorin to undertake this initiative to trial a state-of-the-art point-of-care testing device, empowering healthcare professionals to promptly assess and make informed decisions about patient care,” said Matthew Hadfield, chief medical officer at Grampians Health.

“That our ED staff are able to take part in this clinical trial to help future patients and clinicians represents our hospital’s commitment to research and to providing optimal patient care.”

If the system is approved by regulators, it’s hoped it will positively affect patient outcomes.

“This collaborative effort embodies our unwavering dedication to enhancing healthcare delivery,” said Dr Commons.

“By bringing together our exceptional clinical trials team, dedicated ED staff, and accomplished infection control team, we are confident in the successful implementation and testing of this cutting-edge technology from DiaSorin.”