COVID-19 variants, vaccines and the value of rapid testing

This on-demand video webcast features Dr Mary McGowan and patient advocate Lisa Khalafi describing the impact of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and value of implementing universal paediatric lipid screening. FH is a common genetic disorder leading to elevated low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from birth. Globally out of 220 children, approximately 1 child has FH, and therefore an increased risk of early cardiovascular disease, or even early death. One in ten premature myocardial infarctions is caused by FH. Yet 90% of the 1.3 million Americans with FH are unaware of their condition, leading to premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Diabetic kidney disease, and chronic kidney disease attributed to diabetes, occurs in 20-40% of patients with diabetes This feature article explores albumin-creatine ratio (ACR) point of care testing in people with diabetic kidney disease.

This video seminar features expert speaker Professor Jonathan Cooke (Imperial College London and the University of Manchester, UK). Professor Cooke has advised both the UK and European governments on stewardship of antimicrobials in order to contribute to strategies on reducing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In this video he discusses his experiences in this role and in relation to the World Health Organization’s action plan for AMR. He covers the global burden of AMR trends in antibiotic use, and C-reactive protein point-of-care testing for acute respiratory tract infections.

This rapid-read fact sheet explains the value of using C-reactive protein (CRP) point-of-care testing (POCT) in respiratory tract infections to reduce unnecessary prescription of antibiotics. It also shows how antibiotic consumption is lower in countries that have adopted CRP POCT, and directs learners to an atlas that showing antibiotic resistance rates per country.

Learn how C-reactive protein (CRP) point-of-care testing can be a valuable diagnostic and clinical decision-making tool in relation to COVID-19, and how it may also inform antibiotic prescribing for acutely exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. This video seminar features expert opinion from Professor Jonathan Cooke (UK), Professor Nick Frances (UK) and Professor Ivan Gentile (Italy).

This on-demand webcast, originally recorded at the European Society of Cardiology annual congress 2021, features an expert panel discussing the role of troponins in primary prevention of cardiovascular events, recommendations for the management of patients using high-sensitivity Troponin-I (hsTnI), and the role of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol for the prevention and management in patients with cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

This interactive tool discusses CRP assessment in patients with respiratory symptoms in the COVID-19 pandemic. It also highlights the problem of antibiotic over prescription for respiratory tract infections and antimicrobial resistance.

This factsheet outlines some of the benefits of Point of care (POC) lipid panel testing and how it can streamline and simplify the care pathway.

This slide deck outlines the guideline target for screening and diagnosing type 2 diabetes and highlights the importance and benefits of point of care (POC) testing in diabetes care.

This short slide deck gives an overview of diabetes management during the pandemic, specifically in relation to the use of POCT. People with diabetes face greater risk of COVID-19 severe illness and hospitalisation and therefore glycemic control should be improved wherever possible. POCT can increase compliance with frequency of HbA1c testing in those with diabetes.

In this webinar, Professor Bjerrum introduces antibiotic stewardship at point-of-care, Dr Hopstaken discusses the national implementation of CRP point-of-care-testing and Professor Llor explores CRP point-of-care testing and complementary strategies in adults and children with acute respiratory tract infections.

This fact sheet explains key information about implementing POCT in primary care relating to economic value for cardiovascular screening and monitoring. POCT may offer an effective way to increase coverage for health screenings while also reducing costs associated with missed appointments and healthcare professional resource use. POCT also carries the potential of improved patient care, with lower recurrent hospital admissions and economic savings for preventable chronic conditions.

One-size does not fit all across today's diverse and dynamic test settings. From antigen to molecular tests and various use cases, rapid test methods offer unique and overlapping utility, advantages and disadvantages. Gain insights from this expert discussion on the intersection of test settings with test methods to support clinical needs while streamlining efficiencies and operational workflows.

This collection of short text summaries covers the relevance of a suite of recent guideline publications in the context of learning on point-of-care testing across the therapeutic spectrum.

This video seminar features three international experts (from South Africa and Saudi Arabia) and discussing the importance of HbA1c and C-reactive protein point-of-care testing as important tools in the managing patients with diabetes and patients with COVID-19. Three sub-topics are covered as follows, Accuracy of HbA1c point-of-care tests, do they meet International quality targets? Impact of HbA1c point-of-care testing on turn around time and patient journey. CRP in the management of COVID-19 patients.

This webinar explores the benefit of point-of-care testing in diagnosing and managing diabetes and highlights the numerous value of point-of-care testing in different testing scenarios.

This fact sheet provides information on lipid testing, including total, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglyceride testing, in terms of identifying and managing individuals with or at risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), plus includes links to US and EU risk calculators.

This series of three ‘expert interview’ podcasts cover, The value of C-reactive protein point-of-care testing for respiratory tract infections and in the context of COVID-19. Point-of-care testing for reducing risk and improving management of infectious diseases. Adoption of point-of-care testing services in diabetes and in the context COVID-19.

This series of publication summaries aims to provide varied therapy area learning on point-of-care testing (POCT). Each publication is preceded by a brief summary explaining the relevance of the publication to POCT in primary care. Topics covered are, •The European HbA1c trial to investigate the performance of HbA1c assays, •GH5 proficiency survey data for standardisation of HbA1c testing, •Trueness assessment of HbA1c routine assays,•Quality of POCT devices for HbA1c •POCT and HbA1c clinical need and analytical quality, •Evaluation HbA1c POCT devices using international quality targets C-reactive protein (CRP) POCT to guide antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory tract infection (RTI), •Health technology assessment of CRP POCT to guide antibiotic prescribing for RTI, •Impact of CRP POCT in ambulatory care.

This fact sheet series aims to provide bite-size, rapidly digestible learning on four topics related to point-of-care testing (POCT) in primary care, 1.C-reaction protein (CRP) POCT in COVID-19 patients. 2. Lipid profiles in cardiovascular disease, How do guideline updates impact POCT? 3. Why do physicians use CRP POCT? 4. Diabetes management in the context of COVID-19.

This rapid-read fact sheet briefly summarises the value of C-reactive protein (CRP) point-of-care testing (POCT) for reducing unnecessary prescription of antibiotics in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), aiding in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

This series of guideline summaries aims to provide learning updates on point-of-care testing (POCT) guidance. Each published guideline is preceded by a brief summary explaining the relevance of the updates to POCT. Topics covered are, •New lipid targets, changes to glucose lowering and monitoring, HbA1c screening in cardiovascular disease (CVD) and routine testing of microalbuminuria to identify patients at risk of developing renal dysfunction and/or CVD •Goals for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction, reduction of CVD risk through lipid modification, lipid management in patients with kidney disease, and frequency of lipid testing, HbA1c testing and blood glucose testing in patients at risk of atherosclerotic CVD •Recommendations for diabetes care, including treatment goals, tools to evaluate quality of care and recommendations for lipid profile monitoring.

This short article review summarises the value of point-of-care testing as part of standard health check screenings in order to prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.

In this webinar, Professor Stephan Jacob discusses the prevention and treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and presents a case study from the cardiometabolic institute.

This short article review summarises the global impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and explains how use of C-reactive protein (CRP) point-of-care testing (POCT) may be used to reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescribing in the primary care setting.

This video seminar features an international panel of experts from across Europe presenting a view from the front line. The experts analyse studies from around the world relating to C-reactive protein (CRP) levels as an inflammatory marker for severity and risk assessment in COVID-19 patients. The seminar also highlights the importance of Antibiotic Stewardship Programs (ASPs) in the context of the global pandemic, and how antibiotics should be used only when necessary to curb the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

On the threshold of the 2021-2022 respiratory season, this timely update centres on influenza A&B, the COVID-19 pandemic and steps healthcare systems are taking to prepare for the upcoming (and uncertain) respiratory season. This expert discussion will include evidence-based updates and practical experience regarding rapid testing across overlapping respiratory illnesses. From acute to ongoing vigilance, we will explore methods to accommodate various testing needs and use cases.

Join a panel of experts from across Europe to learn about the value of C-reactive protein (CRP) point-of-care testing (POCT) to help fight antimicrobial resistance and as an aid to help avoid the misuse of antibiotics. 90% of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are viral and therefore antibiotics have no clinical benefit. And yet RTIs are one of the most common reasons for unnecessary antibiotic prescribing. This video seminar will analyse studies and present front-line experience on the value of CRP POCT told through the eyes of internationally acclaimed healthcare professionals and academics from the UK, the Netherlands and Italy.

This video seminar features an international panel of experts from across the globe. Screening and monitoring of diabetes and cardiovascular patients is critical. According to the World Health Organisation individuals may be more susceptible to severe COVID-19 and death if they have a non-communicable disease such as diabetes or cardiac disease. Point-of-care testing (POCT) for HbA1c aids in achieving improved glycaemic control in one consultation. This seminar shares how countries around the world are adopting rapid HbA1c and lipid POCT for the continued remote management of diabetes and cardiovascular patients during COVID-19 and beyond.

This educational slide deck covers an introduction to point-of-care testing (POCT), settings and indications, the patient perspective on POCT, implementing POCT and the economic impact of POCT.

This video seminar features two expert speakers discussing,1.Diabetes management in the time of COVID-19 and the value of HbA1c point-of-care testing (POCT) 2.C-reactive protein (CRP) in the context of COVID-19 and CRP as an aid to reduce antibiotic prescribing in respiratory infections.Diabetes patients are more likely to experience severe complications and higher mortality if they contract COVID-19, especially those with poorly managed diabetes. POCT for HbA1c aids in achieving improved glycaemic control. CRP can reflect disease severity and may be an independent predictor of adverse outcome in COVID-19 patients.

This short educational slide deck presents information on C-reactive protein (CRP) point-of-care testing for the assessment of patients with respiratory symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes recommendations from key guidelines and shows how CRP may be used for severity assessment and outcome prediction.