Awanui Labs is bringing faster diagnosis for rheumatic fever-related infections closer to people’s homes. The rollout of new Point-of-Care Testing analysers in pharmacies across Auckland and Northland is part of Health New Zealand’s pilot programme to expand access to community healthcare.
Meeting the challenge of accessible testing
“Rheumatic fever is a serious but preventable disease affecting around 200 people in New Zealand each year causing inflammation and damage to the heart, joints and brain,” says Northern Region Head of Department Microbiology Blair Shilton.
“The illness is caused by an untreated Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) throat infection with greater disproportionate risk of infection affecting Māori and Pacific peoples, younger New Zealanders and larger households.
Blair says the support for the Health NZ programme closely aligns with Awanui Labs’ commitment to making high-quality and timely diagnostic testing easier and more accessible, preventing infection spreading, and better health outcomes.
“Delivering onsite testing is another innovation to bring laboratory services to our local communities with a convenient and cost-effective option for getting a test and early detection of an illness.
“People can receive their Strep A throat swab results in ten minutes or less during a single visit to a pharmacy, which supports better clinical decisions, by enabling pharmacy staff to provide treatment for appropriate cases.
Maintaining the highest standard of care
Blair says another factor driving this initiative is reaching areas which do not have the same level of diagnostic testing services available to them compared to larger centres.
Awanui Labs has purchased, verified, and installed the analysers and provides training and technical support to the pharmacy staff to ensure each test follows the correct operating procedures and maintains high clinical standards.
Each analyser is linked directly to Awanui Labs’ Laboratory Information System, with results recorded in the Northern region repository and accessible to GPs, while maintaining strict confidentiality and security protocols.
An initiative to make healthcare easier.
“Delivering onsite testing is another targeted approach to testing and healthcare, removing barriers for patients and their whānau,” says Blair,
“Having the ability to get the result and treatment at the same time and location can reduce the need for several visits and follow up calls with healthcare facilities or a GP for initial assessment and treatment, and prevent antibiotics being prescribed which may not be required.”
“Awanui Labs is proud to be drawing on our experience and expertise to reduce the pressure on hospitals and medical facilities, giving New Zealanders greater access to the care they need, and to support Health NZ in this programme.”
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