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Rapid diagnostic screening tests and their place in therapy |
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Rapid diagnostic screening tests are not intended as: |
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- A substitute for seeking proper medical help.
- A replacement, but as a supplement to laboratory diagnostic (pathology)
services.
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Rapid diagnostic tests are intended as screening tests and a diagnosis should
not be based on the results of a single test result but should be confirmed by a
medical professional in conjunction with other medical evidence, including
laboratory tests. |
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Benefits of rapid diagnostic screening tests |
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- Support the shift in healthcare focus from treatment to prevention - they make
preventative care easy and accessible and assist with testing at the point where
patient care is rendered.
- Convenient – a service can be provided in areas with limited or difficult
access to laboratories.
- Cost effective screening can provide peace of mind to patients with a family
history of a disease that are at higher risk than the average person or patients
with disease concerns.
- Essential to basic management of patient care allowing patients to detect a
disease earlier – an integral part of wellness and disease management programs.
- Growing movement to give patients more responsibility for as many aspects of
their healthcare as possible - empowering patients.
- Cost effective and simple tool for improving quality of life and the prognosis
and monitoring of disease e.g. diabetes.
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