Outbreaks of seasonal respiratory viruses can spread rapidly in long-term care homes. Timely results for diagnostic tests remains a challenge for respiratory viruses due to the logistics of using a reference laboratory with delays leading to missed opportunities to implement virus-specific control measures to interrupt transmission resulting in larger outbreaks. Use of a point-of-care testing platform is a potential solution that provides faster results, but it is uncertain whether this translates into benefits for long-term care residents. This trial aims to assess whether rapid test results for respiratory pathogens (Influenza, Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus) can impact the number and size of respiratory virus outbreaks in long-term care homes.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
24
A point-of-care respiratory multiplex testing platform situated within a long-term care facility to provide rapid test results
Currently used respiratory virus testing platforms
Michael Garron Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
RECRUITINGSunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
RECRUITINGNumber of long-term care residents infected with COVID-19, Influenza, or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
The number of long-term care residents who contract Influenza, COVID-19 or RSV separated into the number of residents infected after an introduction is identified and the size of an outbreak of each virus.
Time frame: 7 months
The number of outbreaks of Influenza, COVID-19 or RSV
The number of Influenza, COVID-19 or RSV outbreaks as declared by the local Public Health Unit
Time frame: 7 months
The number of long-term care residents infected during an outbreak of Influenza, COVID-19 or RSV
The number of long-term care residents with a confirmed or suspected Influenza, COVID-19 or RSV infection during each outbreak as tracked by the local Public Health Unit
Time frame: 28 days
Frequency of hospital transfers for long-term care residents infected with Influenza, COVID-19 or RSV
The number of hospital transfers for long-term care residents with Influenza, COVID-19 or RSV
Time frame: 14 days
Number of deaths in long-term care residents infected with Influenza, COVID-19 or RSV
The number of long-term care residents who die following an infection with Influenza, COVID-19 or RSV
Time frame: 28 days
Duration of outbreaks in of Influenza, COVID-19 or RSV in long-term care facilities
The total duration of an outbreak of Influenza, COVID-19 or RSV as declared by the local Public Health Unit
Time frame: 60 days
Secondary attack rate of high-risk exposures to each long-term care resident with Influenza, COVID-19 or RSV infection
The proportion of identified high risk contacts of an infected long-term care resident with Influenza, COVID-19 or RSV infection
Time frame: 28 days
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.