RAPTOR-C19

CPMS code:  46023

Lead Network: South Central

Study Summary

The NHS urgently needs quick, accurate rapid diagnostic tests to diagnose people with coronavirus or to confirm that people do not have the infection. Point-of-care Tests (POCTs) can be used in community settings where there is no easy access to a specialist laboratory. They provide quick results that allow people to get immediate advice about self-isolation and treatment, potentially blocking further spread of infection in the community. Companies are quickly developing new rapid diagnostic tests, but we do not know how well they work. Some tests give a result like a pregnancy test by using a drop of blood from a finger prick. Others use saliva, or a swab to collect a sample from the nose or throat. Companies check tests work in their laboratories, but usually tests do not work as well when used in the field with real patients. Accurate rapid diagnostic tests are important so that people are not falsely reassured when they are infected, and are not wrongly diagnosed when they are not really infected. Our team manages a national surveillance system with a network of community settings including GP practices from all over England that report directly to the Department of Health and Social Care about a wide range of infections. These GP practices have been testing for coronavirus since January 2020 with samples sent for laboratory tests. In this study, practices in the network will quickly compare new POCTs for coronavirus with laboratory tests so we can see how good the new tests are in a coordinated and efficient way. National COVID-19 Test centres may also support the research project. 

The search files hosted on this website are based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria as described in the study protocol and have been built and tested with input from our GP Champion teams. Every effort is made to keep the search files  hosted here maintained and up-to-date. 

However, it is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator to review the search and make any practice specific amendments as deemed necessary*. 

Please DO NOT mail out to patients until you have confirmation and sign off ('green light') from the study team.

*You should advise the study team of any amendments you make to the search.

Disclaimer:

Please note the resources provided are designed to assist with the identification of potentially suitable patients and to appropriately code these patients if required.

These resources have been developed based on the criteria provided by the relevant study team and whilst every effort has been made to make them universally implementable they rely on read codes and the data stored in the individual practice's clinical system. These resources are intended to assist with identification but should be used in conjunction with clinical oversight and a clear understanding of the study parameters.

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