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Project

Strengthening the diagnostic assessment of acutely ill patients presenting to ambulatory care: evaluating accuracy and impact of innovative technology at the point-of-care.

Serious infections, such as sepsis or pneumonia, can be life threatening or have long-lasting consequences. Timely diagnosis improves prognosis but is challenging in ambulatory care (e.g.
general practice) because very few patients have a serious infection and those who do often have not yet developed typical symptoms. Doctors largely have to rely on clinical assessment, with little
support from technological tests.
This project aims to evaluate innovative tests that can be performed at the point-of-care to diagnose serious infections in ambulatory care.
Theme 1 is a paediatric theme, which will first evaluate the accuracy of urine tests for urinary tract infections. A second study will analyse how the results of a rapid blood test correlate with
infection type, illness duration, and response to antibiotic treatment. Thirdly, we will model whether these tests improve diagnosis and patient outcomes.
Theme 2 focuses on adults aged 65 years or over. We will summarize existing evidence first; promising tests will be taken forward in a large-scale study to assess their accuracy and construct a
diagnostic strategy.
Finally, in theme 3, we will assess the impact of an improved diagnostic strategy in children and older adults in a trial which randomises general practices to two groups: a structured diagnostic
approach including point-of-care tests, or usual care. We will test whether the new strategy makes the assessment safer for patients and more cost-effective.

Date:1 Apr 2018 →  31 Mar 2023
Keywords:Infections, Diagnosis, Ambulatory care
Disciplines:Social medical sciences, Education curriculum