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New testing method improves treatment of S. aureus at rural community hospital
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NEW ORLEANS — Researchers at ASM Microbe reported that a rapid molecular test used in combination with antibiotic stewardship at a community hospital serving a rural population reduced the length of hospital stay and readmission rates among patients with Staphylococcus aureus infections.
The findings are similar to those of other studies conducted at large, urban health care facilities and underscore the importance of using novel laboratory technology in the community hospital setting, according to Marijo Roiko, PhD, microbiology program director at Altru Health System in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and colleagues.
The researchers conducted a retrospective study comparing the outcomes of patients with S. aureus before (n = 33) and after (n = 33) implementing the new testing and treatment approach, which combined the rapid FilmArray Blood Culture Identification Panel (BCID, bioMérieux) and antibiotic stewardship. The test reduced the time to pathogen identification from approximately 1 day to 1 hour, and the results were shared with a physician and a pharmacist who provided input on antibiotic treatment decisions, according to a press release.
Results showed that the new approach was associated with a 3-day reduction in the average length of hospital stay, a 50% reduction in 30-day readmission rates and a 15% reduction in 30-day, all-cause mortality. The researchers added that the reduced length of hospital stay saved an estimated $4,290 per patient and resulted in a “positive return on investment.”
“Our findings provide support for implementing rapid testing from positive blood cultures along with antibiotic stewardship in the community hospital setting,” Roiko told Infectious Disease News. “Our study is relatively small in size; however, we were able to replicate findings observed at large academic institutions.” – by Stephanie Viguers
Reference:
Roiko M, et al. Positive Impact of Rapid Blood Culture Identification and Antibiotic Stewardship for Patients with S. Aureus Bacteremia at a Community Hospital. Presented at: ASM Microbe; June 1-5, 2017; New Orleans.
Disclosure: Roiko reports no relevant financial disclosures.