"STBBI POCT: Reaching the Undiagnosed"                                      Salon 0930      

by: Penny Higdon BSC. BNRN, (Senior Program Advisor, Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health CDC Branch)

& Louis-Alexandre Jalbert, M. Sc, (Laboratory Liaison Technical Officer, Public Health Agency of Canada and Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health)

English/Français

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The presentation will explore the role that novel testing technology such as Point of Care Testing (POCT) could play in enhancing detection of Sexually Transmitted and Blood Borne Infections (STBBI) in hard to reach populations in New Brunswick. POCT is frequently performed with the intent to reduce turnaround time, increase patient convenience, decrease barriers including stigma, improve community involvement, increase engagement in care and provide access to testing in remote or rural areas. Discussion will include current epidemiology, and the Federal perspective including the newly released Pan Canadian STBBI Framework for Action. The plan is designed to reach global targets to eliminate STBBI’s as public health threats by 2030. The presentation will focus on the technology currently licensed in Canada and technology that is being trialed in parts of the country as well as the lessons learned and elements for consideration in establishing POCT in New Brunswick.

Careful planning of STBBI approaches is critical to success; the entire process from testing, quality, integration, linkage to care, through to treatment completion must be considered when planning an effective testing campaign or programme. Implementation based on meaningful community and stakeholder engagement, careful examination of available evidence, and new research will bring New Brunswick a step closer to meeting the global targets aimed at eliminating STBBI as a public health threat by 2030.