Handheld Molecular POCT System Enables Rapid Onsite Testing at Hospital ERs and Clinics

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 27 Mar 2023

Image: Pluslife Mini Dock delivers results in 3 to 5 hours prior to PCR tests, reducing hospital flow and patient length of stay (Photo courtesy of Pluslife)

The conventional molecular/nucleic acid testing method (PCR) demands trained personnel, specialized laboratory facilities, and extended waiting periods for results. As a result, it negatively affects patient flow and increases the risk of nosocomial transmission, particularly during outbreaks of infectious diseases like the flu season. Now, the deployment of a handheld molecular POCT system and nucleic acid test cards in outpatient departments, inpatient departments, and emergency rooms can provide access to results 3 to 5 hours ahead of traditional PCR, allowing hospitals to better manage patient flow and length of stay.

The Pluslife Mini Dock from Pluslife Biotech (Guangdong, China) is a user-friendly, palm-size device that reduces both the space and time required for patient testing. The test results are available on-site within 15 to 35 minutes, and the test procedure is simple, comprising just three manual steps: sample collection, sample mixing, and running the test. The system is an excellent option for physicians who need testing solutions that can be used in settings with limited resources, such as clinics, emergency departments, testing centers, and CDCs. The Pluslife RSV, SARS-CoV-2/Flu A/Flu B, and Flu A/Flu B/RSV nucleic acid test cards have been clinically validated to produce comparable results to lab PCR tests and top international molecular POC brands. Furthermore, the test cards can be transported and stored without the need for a cold chain, which can significantly reduce costs.

Pharmacists may encounter challenges in obtaining accurate test results due to the low specificity of rapid antigen tests, which can result in incorrect medication and treatment for patients. The Pluslife Mini Dock and nucleic acid test cards provide a solution that can enhance onsite testing accuracy by delivering results comparable to lab PCR tests. This enables pharmacists to prescribe medication and treatment with increased confidence. These testing solutions are as convenient as antigen tests, meeting the demand for rapid testing (POCT) in pharmacies, and have a higher specificity than antigen tests. Consequently, they can identify infections 1 to 2 days earlier, allowing patients to receive treatment earlier.

PCR testing equipment is costly and centralized, while antigen tests are less accurate, creating significant drawbacks for doctors seeking to diagnose patients either in clinics or during family visits. The deployment of the Pluslife Mini Dock and nucleic acid test cards in clinics and during family visits offer a solution that provides lab-level results with precision, irrespective of location or time. This empowers doctors to better comprehend the patient's condition. Pluslife solutions can assist clinics in offering rapid, accurate, and cost-effective nucleic acid testing without compromising on accuracy.

Independent Clinical Laboratories (ICLs) face a challenge in the traditional configuration of molecular/nucleic acid testing, which demands substantial workspace, costly instruments, and skilled personnel. Furthermore, this method necessitates a longer waiting period for test results. By utilizing the Pluslife Mini Dock and nucleic acid test cards, ICLs can streamline their workflow, reduce the need for highly trained professionals, and save on workspace and overall testing costs. Pluslife solutions lower the operational requirements for traditional nucleic acid testing, enhance workplace efficiency and test capacity, and guarantee faster turnaround times without sacrificing accuracy, leading to greater customer satisfaction.

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