clia waived Strep A Testing

We are using the Roche Cobas Liat for Strep A. It's a real time PCR system and we have it interfaced with RALS and EPIC. Does not need confirmatory culture or reflex testing. Results in 15 minutes. It's been great. No supply issues at this time. They also have several other molecular based platforms that are also CLIA waived.
cobas® Liat® Analyzer (roche.com)

Hi Nicholas,
We used to use the BD Veritor for strep/flu/RSV then 3 years ago prior to pandemic switched to Abbott ID NOW for strep/flu/RSV. Our experience with BinaxNow antigen test is only for COVID.

For us it was a huge leap to go from an antigen test to a 'POC Molecular'-type test. I'll express some thoughts but please do not attribute any comments I make as brand specific. I know that I'd have had these same concerns with any other product/brand that was available at the time.

Some of the considerations: will you connect the instrument? what else are you looking for in 'POC Molecular' testing outside of supply chain availability over time? footprint, space for an instrument in each testing site plus if the instrument you select only handles one specimen at a time, how many instruments will be required for each testing site? can whomever buys the reagent kits afford to switch to 'POC Molecular'? does the POCC have the capacity/time to handle troubleshooting/exchanging instruments? in your healthsystem do you offer patients a 'cash pay' option (if so, consider how much more they will have to pay for POC Molecular)?
 
Good Luck with your decision. It's always a sort of gamble to start over with a new product, huh?

Hi Nicholas,
We use the OSOM Strep Ultra for rapid streps.  Since we installed Cepheid Xpress instruments in all our satellite practices for Covid, they are in the process of changing to the STrep on the Xpress.

Thank you all for your response.

Peggy, lots of good questions that I had not considered and will have to approach management with. 

Is anyone happier with qualitative testing over molecular testing?

Our clinic offices use the QuickVue In-Line Strep A antigen kit tests.  They seem to be easy to use and staff have had no complaints.  I think during the peak of COVID we did have ordering delays, but not enough to have to switch test kits.  Our hospital lab currently uses Immunocard STAT! Strep A antigen kit test and we like those, but there are talks of potentially switching to the ID Now for Strep A testing at some point since we had to purchase the ID Now instruments when supply issues arose with COVID testing.  It is nice with the kit testing to be able to perform multiple tests at one time if needed.