Recent advances in the laboratory detection of infectious diarrhea allow more rapid and sensitive identification of infected patients. Several commercial multiplex molecular panels are now available and may have significant advantages over culture-based techniques. Faster and more sensitive testing of hospitalized patients with suspected infectious gastroenteritis could result in significant efficiencies in the utilization of isolation facilities, however, few studies have examined this potential benefit. We studied the potential clinical and cost benefits of a commercially available molecular panel.

METHODS:

An eight-month parallel diagnostic study was conducted to measure potential economic benefits of testing hospitalized patients with the xTAG Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel (GPP) compared with conventional laboratory testing (based on a combination of culture, microscopy and enzyme immunoassay). Laboratory testing costs and patient isolation costs were measured or estimated for 800 patients.

RESULTS:

Although costing an additional $28,007.95, use of GPP could enable a reduction in isolation time from 2202 to 1447 days, a savings of $55,910.31, which more than offsets the additional laboratory testing costs.

CONCLUSION:

Syndromic testing of patients against a broad panel of organisms using a multiplex molecular panel can both improve detection rates and allow better laboratory workflow practices. Removing patients testing negative using this panel could result in significant patient isolation savings.