Evaluation of Point of Care Testing in Mid and North Hampshire

Overview

The evaluation assessed the impact of two point of care testing (POCT) devices - LumiraDx (for C-Reactive Protein) and i-STAT Alinity (for kidney function urea & electrolytes) - used by Urgent Community Response (UCR) and Hospital @ Home virtual ward (H@H VW) teams in Mid and North Hampshire. The devices aimed to support faster diagnostic testing, improve clinical decision-making, and enable patients to receive care closer to home.

The evaluation took place between June 2024 and March 2025, and collected multiple perspectives on the use of the devices and synthesised quantitative and qualitative data to describe their impact for patient and staff users.

The evaluation found that LumiraDx and i-STAT Alinity point of care testing devices positively impact patient care by enhancing clinical decision-making, supporting care at home, and reducing unnecessary hospital admissions. However, the full potential of these devices is not yet realised due to dual testing practices, and technical challenges. To maximise their value, greater standardisation, improved staff training, and system-wide strategies to integrate POCT, when clinically appropriate, into standard practice are needed, alongside addressing the financial and logistical barriers that limit their widespread adoption.