Our study investigates the influence of a rapid SARS-CoV-2 point-of-care PCR on workflow and efficiency in emergency care – more so in inpatients of an emergency department of a tertiary university hospital in Germany.
We found that the rapid PCR significantly reduces the time-to-results and time for isolation relative to conventional PCR. Although testing costs for rapid PCR are higher, it benefits workflow, reduces total costs, and frees up ward capacity.
We thank our co-authors and everyone involved!