A rapid test-and-treat flu pathway to ease
winter pressures
25.4 % of patients avoided being prescribed unnecessary antibiotics in a‘ test and treat’ influenza community pathway we have piloted across 21 sites in Yorkshire. This pilot research has been conducted as a collaborative working agreement between ourselves, Roche Diagnostics Ltd and Roche Products Ltd.
Flu-related illnesses can occupy approximately 5,400 hospital beds daily and consume over 100,000 bed days in a single month. This burden is highest in colder months when influenza is more prevalent, making it a major contributor to NHS winter pressures.
Distinguishing between influenza, COVID-19, and chest infections can be challenging without additional testing. Flu diagnosis often relies on lab-based throat swabs, but delayed results can prevent timely antiviral treatment. While waiting, patients may receive unnecessary antibiotics, contributing to antimicrobial resistance. Diagnosis delays also hinder infection control in hospitals and care homes, limiting timely isolation measures
40 Transforming Lives Through Innovation
Hospital to community
Sickness to prevention