An innovative 15-minute blood test which can fast-track the diagnosis of children with potentially life-threatening conditions is being trialled by the NHS this winter.
The hi-tech blood test can distinguish between bacterial or viral infections much more quickly than traditional tests – so serious diseases like sepsis or meningitis can be picked up sooner.
NHS England has funded a trial of the technology in three hospitals, with doctors saying it could make a “vital difference” to the care of children.
If a child arrives at hospital with a fever, clinicians need to determine whether it’s a sign of a more minor illness or a life-threatening condition.
Currently, the most likely type of infection can only be confirmed by a blood test which then needs to be analysed by a lab – which can take a few hours. In the meantime, children may be given antibiotics or other treatment until a full diagnosis can be made, which takes time and resources, or they may initially be diagnosed with a minor illness.
The new faster blood test only takes 15 minutes to show whether an infection is viral or bacterial – giving doctors more rapid information and cutting the time to diagnose illnesses, meaning patients can be treated more quickly and preventing them from being given antibiotics that may not be needed.
Now, NHS England is funding a trial of the test on children being treated at emergency departments in Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, St Mary’s Hospital in London and Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle to see whether rapid tests like this can help doctors and nurses make faster decisions.
Doctors taking part say they have already seen the benefits of the test, including in a child with meningococcal meningitis who could be treated much more quickly as a result and a child with sepsis who could start antibiotics straight away.
Professor Simon Kenny, National Clinical Director for Children and Young People at NHS England, said: “Quick diagnosis is crucial in ensuring patients get the most effective treatment, particularly for children who may have a potentially life-threatening illness.
“Innovations like the 15-minute blood test speed up diagnosis and allow focussed treatment, as well as freeing up resources to treat more patients, so it’s great we’re able to trial the test this winter when the NHS is at its busiest.
“These pilots are a crucial step in testing new technology so that innovations with the most impact can be rolled out to further improve care for more NHS patients.”
