Affiliations: [a] Center for Global Health and Development, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA | [b] General Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA | [c] Health Promotion, Social and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Ashish Joshi, Center for Global Health and Development, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 984370 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-4370, USA. Tel.: +1 402 559 2327; E-mail: ashish.joshi@unmc.edu.
Abstract: Background:C-reactive protein (CRP) point-of-care testing (POCT) can be a valuable tool for decision making in primary care. Very few studies have illustrated the utilization of CRP POCT. Objective:To conduct a systematic review on the use of CRP POCT in primary care settings and to examine its feasibility and acceptability in an outpatient primary care setting. Methods:The search was conducted via PubMed. Final articles in the systematic review met inclusion and exclusion criteria. For the feasibility and acceptability analysis, a convenience sample of 20 adult subjects was enrolled and CRP POCT was conducted. Results:Antibiotic prescription was the most predominant outcome assessed, and antibiotic prescription reduction was the most common finding of CRP POCT effectiveness testing. Conclusion:CRP POCT can be used to detect inflammation and can reduce antibiotic prescription in primary care. It is a satisfactory procedure that should be available in the primary care setting.
Keywords: CRP, point of care, adults, children primary care, antibiotics
