FOR THE MANY .. NOT THE FLU

New test will free thousands of beds & save NHS £24m

A NEW flu test which can diagnose patients in just 20 minutes has been shown to cut NHS bed blocking by 80%.

Every winter flu sufferers take up scarce NHS spaces as they are kept in isolation for several days before getting their lab results back.

The new test is taken by a nasal swab and analysed by machine.

In one trial at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals, more than half of patients tested negative and most were discharged the same day.

The pilot saved the trust £143,000 over four months and manufacturers Roche Diagnostics claim it could save NHS England £24 million.

The number of blocked beds dropped from an average of 11 pre-test to two post-test – a reduction of 81%.

The average number of patients with flu in a bay fell from 12.3 to 2.7. The system was also trialled at Kingston Hospital in South West London where 1,526 patients were screened over 19 weeks and just 479 tested positive.

Berenice Constable, head of nursing at the hospital trust, said of the NASAL SWAB so-called cobas Liat test: The quick test “This has had a big impact on improving timely treatment for patients and ultimately improving patient experience. Operationally it has helped to ensure that beds are not closed unnecessarily.”

At Kingston Hospital overall, 65% of suspected cases were discharged or, if admitted, did not require isolation. The fast diagnosis meant 33% of patients who tested negative and were otherwise well were discharged the same day.

Maker Roche Diagnostics said the test can be used to detect more than 40 strains of Influenza A and B, and seven of respiratory virus (RSV).

Flu affects 5% to 10% of adults and 20% to 30% of children each year.