BloodTrackR Usability and Concordance Study (BUCS)

Background:

Blood testing is one of the most important tools in healthcare, but the way samples are collected and processed today creates barriers for both patients and the NHS. Most blood tests require a hospital or GP visit for venous blood draw. This can be inconvenient and stressful for patients, particularly those with long-term conditions who need frequent monitoring, and it places additional demand on already stretched NHS staff. In clinical trials, reliance on centralised sample collection and processing slows recruitment and increases costs. Current alternatives, such as dried blood spot (DBS) sampling, have limitations in accuracy due to the "haematocrit effect," which reduces trust in results.

The impact is significant: patients face delays and additional travel, NHS services struggle with capacity, and healthcare costs increase. There is an urgent need for simple, reliable solutions that support blood testing in the community, reduce workforce pressure, and improve patient experience.

BloodTrackR, is a novel blood collection device and companion mobile app developed by the researchers that allows people collect their own blood samples at home. A key focus of BloodTrackR is the measurement of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, which is not visible to clinicians outside clinic visits, so that treatment can be adjusted in real time rather than at the next scheduled appointment. This helps identify early signs of disease flares and ensures disease activity is kept under control. Given that chronic inflammatory conditions are frequently associated with multi-morbidity, BloodTrackR could also provide a platform for monitoring co-occurring conditions, such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease, from the same device. This creates opportunities to consolidate patient monitoring, reduce missed opportunities for treatment adjustment, and ensure therapy is as effective as possible across multiple conditions.

This reusable device incorporates a proprietary plasma separation process that produces dried plasma samples, rather than dried blood spots, overcoming limitations of the haematocrit effect. Built-in sample stabilisation, temperature monitoring, and precise time-stamping safeguard sample quality and integrity during transport and storage. The companion mobile app links samples with patient-reported symptoms and medications, creating rich longitudinal datasets that can inform clinical decision-making, support remote monitoring, and trigger earlier intervention.