Long term care services



Available February 1, 2014MEDLAB introduces Molecular Clostridium difficile testMEDLAB is proud to introduce a cutting edge DNA based C diff test, with outstanding sensitivity and specificity, that does not require confirmation testing. This translates into superior positive and negative predictive value for toxigenic Clostridium difficile bacterial DNA with a 1-2 day turn-around-time.C. difficile infections are a major problem among recently hospitalized patients and those living in long term care facilities. The infections are the most common cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea in adults and can often lead to dehydration or electrolyte imbalance or even death. Furthermore, it has been widely reported that C diff infections are becoming increasingly virulent and less responsive to metronidazole therapy, resulting in rising incidence and worse outcomes. Since the infection can range in severity from asymptomatic to life-threatening, rapid and accurate diagnosis is critical for treatment decisions and infection control intervention. Relapses are also common in 20% to 60% of the cases, often leading to rehospitalizations,.The new Guidelines for Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention of Clostridium difficile published in 2013 by American Journal of Gastroenterology recommends first-line molecular DNA testing for diagnosis of the disease. This new test conforms to this recommendation. In addition, it detects BOTH Toxigenic A and B strains of C parison of the current test with the new test is shown below and clearly demonstrates why the current test will be discontinued effective March 1, 2014.Test CodeTest MethodologySensitivitySpecificityPositive Predictive ValueNegative Predictive ValueReflex Confirmation205300GDH EIA (current test)39.7%97.7%74.0%90.5%Required205303DNA Molecular98.6%99.1%95.9%99.7%Not RequiredSpecimen is loose stool (formed stools will be rejected) and should be in a sterile, labeled cup and kept at 2-8 degrees C, and is stable for up to 7 days. Turn-around-time is 24hrs from receipt at the MEDLAB laboratory.The DNA Molecular test is FDA cleared and payable by both Medicare and Medicaid. Retesting of previous C diff negative patients can be useful after 7 days, when still presenting with clinically significant symptoms.?Bottom-line: Switching testing from traditional EIA to amplified DNA leads to:Significant decrease in patient isolation daysDecrease in number of tests orderedDecrease in metronidazole treatment for patients with negative C diff testsDecrease in hospital readmissions Decrease in care providers time caring for isolated patientsIncrease in patient satisfactionSEE FOLLOWING PAGE FOR TEST ORDERING SPECIFICSEffective February 1, 2014 MEDLAB will introduce a new Molecular C. diff testTEST NAME:C diff Amplified DNA testNEW TEST CODE:205303AVAILABLE:February 1, 2014SPECIMEN:Loose Stool – Two Patient Identifiers Necessary (Any formed stools will be rejected)SAMPLE STABILITY:7 days, Refrigerated (4 degrees C)TURN-AROUND-TIME:24-48 hoursSENSITIVITY:98.6% (New Test) vs 39.7% (Old Test)SPECIFICITY:99.1% (New Test) vs 97.7% (Old Test)FDA STATUS:FDA clearedREIMBURSEMENT:Medicare/Medicaid ReimbursableCOMPLIANCE:Complies with 2013 Guidelines for Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention of Clostridium difficile Infections (J Gastroenterology, 108:478, April 2013) (available by request from MEDLAB Account Managers)eMEDLAB:Orderable in eMEDLAB effective February 1, 2014NOTE:Old C diff test (GDH EIA) will be discontinued on March 1, 2013. Any unspecified C diff Orders will be tested utilizing the new DNA based technology with superior sensitivity and specificity.For any further questions or concerns please contact your account manager or our client solutions department at 1-800-522-7556. ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download