Scientists have come up with a new test which can identify potential cases of meningitis in a fraction of the current time.
Standard tests for meningococcal disease - which can lead to meningitis and blood poisoning - can take up to 48 hours for results to come back.
But a new diagnostic tool created by experts at Queen's University Belfast and The Belfast Trust can provide results within an hour.
Researchers said the test could prevent children with meningococcal disease being wrongly sent home.
It could also prevent children being admitted for treatment unnecessarily.
If medics suspect a child may have meningococcal septicaemia they administer antibiotic treatment straight away, meaning two-thirds received treatment unnecessarily.
The new diagnostic test - known as Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) - has been assessed in a two year study alongside the standard NHS tests.
Researchers said the LAMP diagnostic tool proved to be as efficient as the standard test in returning accurate diagnosis.
"The LAMP test enables doctors to efficiently diagnose meningococcal septicaemia within an hour," said Dr James Mc Kenna, clinical scientist and lead researcher in developing the LAMP test.
"The LAMP diagnosis could significantly reduce the number of patients taking medication unnecessarily as well as preventing needless anxiety to patients and their families."
