Respiratory Outbreak Mitigation in Long-Term Care Using Point-of-Care Testing

imProving Respiratory Outbreak Mitigation Through Point-of-care Testing in Long Term Care (PROMPT-LTC): A Cluster Randomized Trial

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.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Long-term care facility engaged with an Ontario Health Team overseen by Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, Michael Garron Hospital or Humber River Health

Exclusion Criteria:

• No signed statement of agreement for study participation
• Pre-existing use of a point-of-care testing platform