Quidel Corp, a leader in point-of-care (POC) rapid diagnostic tests, today announced recent initiatives to educate and inform the healthcare community regarding methodologies and procedures for use of the Company’s QuickVue® Influenza A+B POC Test in advance of the coming flu season.
In a webinar hosted by John Tamerius, Ph.D., Quidel’s Senior Vice President, Clinical and Regulatory Affairs, the Company detailed methods for achieving optimal results with the QuickVue Influenza A+B Test. Quidel studies have shown the Company’s influenza test, when used according to established procedures, has demonstrated 94% clinical sensitivity and 90% specificity compared with culture in detecting seasonal influenza type A with a nasal swab.
Douglas Bryant, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “In recent external studies, researchers have generated results with our test using influenza specimens that were not tested immediately but instead were shipped and stored in a manner that might not result in optimal performance. With our webinar, we reinforced the appropriate use of the Company’s test and encouraged clinicians and other practitioners to follow the instructions provided in the diagnostic package insert.”
Mr. Bryant continued, “Quidel’s QuickVue Influenza A+B test offers clinicians and other practitioners many advantages. In one visit, with just one nasal swab, Quidel’s test can provide a result in 10 minutes or less, potentially speeding the selection and initiation of the appropriate treatment modality. In this way, we believe our QuickVue® test for influenza can provide the medical community with greater flexibility in managing influenza, including helping to control the spread of the disease.”
For more information on Quidel’s QuickVue Influenza A+B Test, please visit the company’s Web site.
