A finger pin-prick blood test for respiratory infections which shows if a patient has a viral or bacterial infection within 10 minutes is having a big impact on antibiotic prescribing in Calderdale.
Antibiotics are used to treat serious bacterial infections. They kill bacteria or prevent them from spreading, but they do not work for everything. Many mild infections, including those that aren’t caused by bacteria, can get better on their own without antibiotics.
The overuse of antibiotics has made them less effective and leads to people becoming resistant to antibiotics.
Last year, NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board in Calderdale introduced rapid point of care tests in a few GP practices. The project work was shortlisted for ‘Medicine, Pharmacy and Prescribing Initiative of the Year’ at this year’s Health Service Journal Awards.
Now, more GP practices and community teams are using the tests, helping to reduce unnecessary prescriptions for antibiotics, leading to a better and safer experience.
The difference between viral and potentially more serious bacterial respiratory infections are often difficult to diagnose as patients may have similar symptoms. Data has shown that point of care testing has led to a reduction in re-consultations with GP’s.
Dr Michaela Mensah, GP Partner at Keighley Road Surgery in Halifax said: “The point of care test has given health professionals and patients confidence and reassurance of when antibiotics are needed.
“Patients with a viral infection would often make another appointment for later in the same week as they still felt unwell but now, we have seen the level of follow up appointments reduce, giving us time in general practice to see more patients.”
As we head into winter when respiratory infections become more common, contact with GP practices increase. To support, Pennine GP Alliance are running five Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) Hubs across Calderdale.
Point of care testing is available at the ARI hubs providing quick results, advice, and treatment for people with respiratory illness symptoms.
A patient visiting one of the ARI hubs in Calderdale said: “After discussing my symptoms, the doctor did a pin prick test and advised it would tell me whether I needed antibiotics or not.
“The test showed I did not need antibiotics and we were able to discuss other things I could do to manage my symptoms.”
People contacting their GP practice with respiratory concerns can be referred into the ARI hub if their symptoms match the criteria. More information about ARI hubs can be found on the Pennine GP Alliance website. www.penninegpa.co.uk/our-services/acute-respiratory-hubs/
NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board are now working with Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber as part of a larger rapid point of care testing study across the region.