Diagnostics Provider Helps Reduce Unnecessary Antibiotic Prescription

The Microbiology Department at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital (RHCH) in Winchester has chosen bioMérieux’s VIDAS® B·R·A·H·M·S PCT test for measurement of serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels, to indicate
bacterial infection and help guide prescription of antibiotics. Procalcitonin, an early biomarker that increases during bacterial infection and sepsis, can assist in optimising and monitoring antibiotic treatment. VIDAS B·R·A·H·M·S PCT is an easy to use, cost effective test performed on the VIDAS/mini VIDAS instruments.

Dr Kordo Saeed, consultant microbiologist at the RHCH, explained: “PCT is an established and effective indicator of early infection, differentiating between infected and uninfected patients. We used VIDAS B·R·A·H·M·S PCT to carry out a six-month evaluation of the effect of procalcitonin testing on our antibiotic decision process, and it proved very helpful. Microbiologists and clinicians were able to use PCT concentration, in addition to clinical history, as a guide to deciding whether to start patients on a course of antibiotics or not, or to discontinue ongoing treatment. Where there was clinical uncertainty and PCT levels were raised, early treatment was
initiated. If PCT was below the cut off levels, antibiotic use was avoided without any adverse effects on the patient.”

Dr Saeed concluded: “By using PCT measurements to reduce unnecessary antimicrobial prescription, ‘collateral damage’ such as Clostridium difficile associated diseases (CDAD) and IV line infections, can be decreased. This leads to shorter inpatient treatment and savings in staff time and antibiotic costs, making PCT testing an important tool in our antibiotic stewardship programme.”