COVER STORY: Improving the efficiency of infection control with rapid point-of-care PCR testing

Healthcare systems continue to face financial pressures, workforce shortages and increasing patient numbers, making rapid and reliable diagnostics at the point of need a necessity. This article discusses how the emergence of point of-care (POC) PCR technologies that combine lab-quality testing with simplicity and secure connectivity are making it easier than ever to streamline multiplex testing in emergency settings, helping to reduce turnaround times and improve the flow of patients.

Six years on from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, its legacy continues to highlight the need for more effective diagnostic strategies. The recent winter outbreaks have not only been characterised by sustained circulation of respiratory viruses – such as SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and B, and RSV – but also by earlier seasonal peaks¹ and overlapping outbreaks, putting considerable strain on resources. Respiratory viruses were not the only pressure in the 2025/6 winter season; norovirus was a significant and disruptive burden on hospitals and community healthcare settings.² 

At the same time, the healthcare system is strained. Real-term growth in health spending has slowed compared with historical averages,³ while expectations around service delivery, preparedness and patient safety stay the same. A huge increase in demand for services means that the national four-hour standard for A&E – previously set at 95 per cent – has not been met nationally since 2014, and 2024 was the first year in which no individual provider achieved this.4 Respiratory problems continue to be common reasons for GP appointments and acute hospital visits, and are growing annually by 13 per cent,⁵ adding to the already significant pressure. This means that hospitals have likely had to absorb higher patient volumes and seasonal infection surges without proportional increases in resources.