On-site virus testing in nursing homes could reduce hospital visits and speed up treatment

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2026-07-07 01:00

International

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On-site testing devices for viral infections such as flu and COVID-19 in nursing homes could reduce the number of people transferred to hospital, according to international research. The team found that having the device reduced the number of transfers, improved detection of infections, and allowed faster initiation of antiviral therapy for influenza in nursing homes. The devices did not decrease the number or size of outbreaks, but reduced the number of people transferred to hospital by about four in 100.

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Research JAMA, Web page The URL will go live after the embargo ends

Journal/
conference: JAMA Internal Medicine

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Canada

Funder: Funding support was provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada (instruments), National Microbiology Laboratory Brach (quality control), and the Government of Ontario (cartridges).

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