On December 1st, the Emergency Department at Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus deployed the Sofia point-of-care testing system, by Quidel.
This state-of-the art system uses immunofluorescence-based lateral-flow technology to rapidly and accurately give results when testing for Influenza A + B, Strep A, and RSV. Strep testing can be resulted in as little as 5 minutes, and Influenza and RSV testing can be resulted in as little as 15 minutes.
Six point-of-care testing systems are now in use in the Emergency Department, with three in the Fast Track area and three in the Main Emergency Department.
“This system will help us greatly in providing timely, excellent care to our patients,” Sreedar Raja, MD, FACEP, the Medical Director of the Emergency Department tells TLS. “We are particularly excited in its ability to help further speed our times for our Fast Track, which are already among the lowest in the country with an average time of 65 minutes for arrival to discharge.”
At Lakewood Immediate care a flu test took 10 minutes. In and Out in under 25 minutes which included the intake, exam, and treatment. Rapid strep test took 5 minutes.
I’m also a fan of Lakewood Immediate care. My days of sitting on long lines in doctor’s offices are over. The staff is thorough responsible and efficient. A model for others to follow.