AS the flu starts to spread, NSW hospitals are armed with the latest diagnostic technology this season.
Flu diagnosis will drop from four days to under four hours thanks to the roll out of new advanced diagnostic technology rolled out across the state.
A faster diagnosis can help clinicians make faster triage and treatment decisions. A fast response can be crucial as antivirals are most effective when started less than two days from the onset of Influenza.
For high risk patients, including those with cancer, diabetes and heart disease, faster diagnosis can mean less time in hospital and could even be life saving.
Rapid flu testing is available at NSW Health Pathology labs at Armidale, Bega, Blacktown, Bowral, Coffs Harbour, Concord, Dubbo, Gosford, Griffith, Kogarah, Lismore, Liverpool, Nepean, Orange, Prince of Wales Randwick, Royal Prince Alfred, Royal North Shore, Tamworth, Taree, Wagga Wagga, Westmead and Wollongong public hospitals.
The flu season peaks in most parts of the country during August and September.
