Final answer:
PCR may be required for clinical and diagnostic purposes without patient contact, as it can detect viral DNA in samples. RT-qPCR is preferred for its sensitivity, and negative results may necessitate repeated testing to confirm the absence of infection.
Step-by-step explanation:
Whether a Patient Care Report (PCR) or an Electronic-PCR (E-PCR) needs to be completed when no patient contact is made can vary based on protocols and local regulations. However, for clinical or diagnostic purposes, especially when dealing with viral infections, PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests may be conducted even if direct patient contact is not made. This is because PCR can detect the presence of viral DNA in samples, and no direct patient contact is needed for obtaining certain types of samples, such as saliva.
Moreover, as indicated by the given information, PCR is a very sensitive method for the detection of viral infections like Norovirus, where RT-qPCR is the preferred approach over enzyme immunoassay (EIA) due to its higher sensitivity. The result of PCR testing, whether positive or negative, can be crucial for the diagnosis and subsequent treatment decisions.
In clinical cases, a negative result in PCR does not always mean the absence of infection, as the viral load may be low at the time of sampling. Therefore, clinicians may repeat the test at intervals to increase the probability of detection if the viral load in the patient's sample increases over time. Decisions on patient treatment would not be solely based on a single diagnostic test and might require repeated testing and additional diagnostic methods.