Respiratory Viral PCR (POCT)

Microbiology

As of Monday 11th November 2024 Point of Care Testing (POCT) for Respiratory Viruses will commence for the 2024-25 season at the RD&E & NDDH Hospitals beginning in Paediatrics/PAU.

Initially POCT is only going live in Paediatrics/PAU so all other areas should continue to send their samples for testing to the Microbiology Laboratory – go to the Respiratory Viral PCR page for further information.

Summary

Nucleic acid amplification assay (PCR) tests for the detection of the following:

SARS-CoV-2 (Covid)
Influenza A (Flu)
Influenza B (Seasonal Flu)
Respiratory Syncitial Virus (RSV).

Usage

Point of Care Test (POCT) for the diagnosis of viral respiratory infection.

Specimen

Nasopharyngeal swab

Test sensitivity is dictated by the amount of virus on the swab and is therefore influenced by:
- (1) the timing of the test in relation to the symptoms and
- (2) the quality of the sample (operator-dependent).
- A result should be interpreted in light of the pre-test probability (severity of symptoms, their level of exposure, the disease in the contact); no test is 100% sensitive or specific.

Specimen container

Yellow topped Cobas swab

To Request On EPIC

For electronic requesting using EPIC (RDUH ONLY):

Search for: ‘POCT Genexpert FLU/RSV/COVID PCR‘ or test code ‘LAB97061‘

Click here for more detailed instructions

Special Instructions

ONLY for use by trained staff in the POCT testing locations – you will need your own device login to use the analyser.

Click here for instructions on how to use the POCT analysers

Availability

POCT is currently LIVE in the following locations:

RD&E – PAU
NDDH – Paediatrics

POCT is only for the use of patients in the above locations – all other areas should send their samples to Microbiology for testing – click here for details