March 14, 2007
3M Health Care has launched a new Medical Diagnostics business unit to focus on developing rapid diagnostic product solutions for detecting infectious pathogens and other treatment-resistant microbes.
The company will provide hospitals with rapid, easy-to-use microbial diagnostic tests to identify the presence of potentially destructive microbes before they can spread and infect patients.
In October 2006, the CDC issued new guidelines about how to prevent the spread of drug-resistant infections in health care settings. Screening of patients at high risk of carrying the bacteria was recommended, but current tests can take 48 hours or rely on expensive molecular diagnostics.
3M expects to unveil its rapid diagnostic tests sometime this year. For more information, visit the company’s Web site.
