From Central Lab to Point of Care: Rethinking Vaginitis Diagnostics

Tuesday, July 28
12:00 p.m. – 12:20 p.m.
Exhibit Hall Theater 2
Presented by bioMérieux

Session Overview

Vaginitis is one of the most common reasons for outpatient visits, yet its management often highlights a fundamental gap in diagnostic care: treatment decisions are made during the visit, while accurate results frequently arrive later. This mismatch drives empiric prescribing, repeat visits, and persistent symptoms.This session uses vaginitis as a practical case study to explore where point-of-care testing (POCT) delivers the greatest value. We will examine current diagnostic limitations, the clinical and operational consequences of delayed results, and how molecular POCT aligns testing with real-time decision-making.

Objectives

1. Compare central laboratory and point-of-care testing models for vaginitis with respect to turnaround time, workflow, and clinical decision-making
2. Analyze how delays in diagnostic result availability contribute to empiric treatment and repeat healthcare utilization
3. Evaluate the role of molecular point-of-care testing in improving diagnostic accuracy and aligning testing with real-time clinical decisions

Speaker

Amanda L. Suchanek, PhD
Medical Advisor
bioMérieux US Medical Affairs