The system identifies effective antibiotics for bloodstream infections approximately 24 hours faster than standard methods.
ECU Health Medical Center is the fifth institution in the US to begin using the bioMérieux VITEK REVEAL analyzer, a rapid blood culture testing tool that helps providers identify effective antibiotics for certain bloodstream infections approximately 24 hours sooner than standard methods.
The tool, which the hospital implemented in July, is designed to enable faster treatment, improve patient care, and reduce broad-spectrum antibiotic resistance, according to a press release from ECU Health. The analyzer works directly from a blood culture sample that tests positive for specific types of bacteria to determine which antibiotics are most effective for treatment.
“We know that seconds count when it comes to treating disease, and the Vitek Reveal analyzer is an innovative tool to focus therapy for patients right here in eastern North Carolina,” says Brooks Mitchell, PhD, interim director of microbiology at ECU Health Medical Center, in a release.
Providers equipped with this data are more likely to make correct treatment decisions with less risk of a patient developing resistance that can slow recovery, according to the release. The medical center will use the technology to identify specific microbes that cause sepsis, which allows providers to escalate care and may lead to shorter hospital stays.
The ability to select the right antibiotic to treat specific microbes also means patients are less likely to develop resistance to broad-spectrum antibiotics, which maintains the efficiency of medications in treating microbial disease, according to the release. Clinicians continue to identify patient-specific factors, such as allergies or other adverse reactions, to determine the best treatment options.
The launch of the analyzer was a collaborative effort between the microbiology lab and the infectious disease pharmacy at ECU Health Medical Center. The tool will be used alongside existing diagnostic equipment to maximize efficiency.
“Having the right tool for the job is important, but it matters more when those tools are in the hands of skilled professionals,” says Jay Briley, president of ECU Health Medical Center, in a release.
Photo provided: ECU Health
