Data from: Impact of a novel community testing pathway for people with suspected COVID-19 in Wales: a cost-minimisation analysis

Objective: To compare NHS organisations testing pathways for patients with
suspected COVID-19 in the community versus standard hospital testing
practices Perspective: NHS commissioners and services Methods: During the
containment phase of the Covid-19 pandemic we developed a community model
pathway for Covid-19 testing in Wales with testing teams undertaking
swabbing for Covid-19 in individuals usual place of residence. We
undertook a cost-minimisation analysis comparing the costs to the NHS in
Wales of community testing for COVID-19 versus standard hospital testing
practices and ambulance conveyancing. We analysed data from patients with
suspected COVID-19 between January and February 2020 and applied
assumptions of costs from national contractual and reference costs for
ambulances, staffing and transportation with market costs at the time of
publication. Results: 177 patients with suspected COVID-19 underwent
community testing via local NHS organisations between January and February
2020 with a mean age of 46.1 (IQR 27.5-56.3). This was 92% of total
patients who were tested for Covid-19 during this period. We estimate,
compared to standard hospital testing practices cash savings in improved
productivity for the NHS of £152,190 during this time period, in addition
to further non-monetised benefits for hospital and ambulance flow.
Conclusions: Community testing for COVID-19 in Wales is now an established
pathway and continues to bring benefits for patients, local healthcare
organisations and the NHS. Further application of this model in other
settings and to other infectious diseases may herald promising returns.