None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of point-of-care (POC) C-reactive protein (CRP) testing to support pharmacists’ management of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in community pharmacies in Western Australia. POC CRP testing provides a result in less than five minutes, using a capillary blood sample from a finger prick and is a biomarker of inflammation used to assist differentiation between bacterial from viral infections in some circumstances. The study hypothesis is that CRP testing in community pharmacies, in addition to pharmacists' routine assessment, following a validated clinical guideline and protocol, is feasible in the community pharmacy setting and acceptable by consumers and pharmacists.
Interventions
Patients with symptoms of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) or requesting a product to treat RTIs will be provided pharmacist advice based on the presenting symptoms and patient assessment based upon questioning. Currently, there are no further objective tests available in the community pharmacy setting to assist pharmacists in supporting clinical decision-making as to whether the infection is a bacterial or viral RTI, and therefore, whether the patient should to be referred to a GP for furthe
Patients with symptoms of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) or requesting a product to treat RTIs will be provided pharmacist advice based on the presenting symptoms and patient assessment based upon questioning. Currently, there are no further objective tests available in the community pharmacy setting to assist pharmacists in supporting clinical decision-making as to whether the infection is a bacterial or viral RTI, and therefore, whether the patient should to be referred to a GP for further assessment and timely access to antibiotics. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a biomarker that can be used to identify bacterial infection and to monitor response to treatment in chronic inflammatory diseases. A Point-of-Care (POC) CRP result may be produced by the pharmacist in less than five minutes, using a capillary blood sample from a finger prick. The feasibility and impact of this single, once off test result, in conjunction with pharmacists' routine assessment and questioning will be assessed using a validated guide. CRP levels will be assessed using the Alere Afinion AS100 Analyzer with the Alere Afinion CRP Test Cartridges. The study will involve five community pharmacies, each with at least two pharmacists and an assistant/intern pharmacist, trained to deliver the service. Each pharmacy will recruit approximately 30 patients, offered and provided the CRP testing service. To assess patient satisfaction and feasibility of service provision, training material is provided during the study period, validated by an Infectious Diseases specialist clinician, patient and pharmacist questionnaires, 3-day follow ups by the pharmacist and 5-day follow ups by the Research Assistant. Importantly, all patients will be provided with the following disclaimer: "This CRP reading only reflects a patient’s condition at the time of testing. If symptoms persist or worsen, see your GP."
Sponsors
Curtin University
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Intervention model
Single group
Primary purpose
Educational / counselling / training
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
• At least 18 years of age, AND • Less than 65 years of age, AND • Able to provide informed consent to participate • Presenting to the pharmacy with either an RTI-related product request OR RTI symptom, AND • Seeking advice regarding the need for antibiotics or need to visit a GP
Exclusion criteria
• Under 18 years of age • 65 years and above • Presenting with a medical condition that may cause an underlying rise in CRP levels, such as rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune conditions • Immuno-compromised or on a medication that could affect their immune response
Outcome results
None listed