Distinguishing between viral and potentially more serious bacterial infections can be challenging for clinicians.
Patients can be advised to attend emergency care due to deterioration or when uncertainty arises regarding the type of infection. Many patients are also unnecessarily treated with antibiotics for acute respiratory infections.
Antibiotic misuse leads to unnecessary adverse events, secondary infections, re-consultations, antimicrobial resistance, and increased costs.
The evaluation of point-of-care testing (POCT) in a primary care setting was shown to support clinical decision-making, reduce re-consultation rates, A&E attendances as well as unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions and consequent adverse health effects and expenses.
