The service applies CLSI M100 guidelines to PCR reports, delivering insights on pathogens and resistance markers to support labs and physicians.
Streamline Scientific has launched an enhanced PCR reporting service for urinary tract infection (UTI) testing that integrates CLSI M100 guidelines directly into test reports to help reduce inappropriate antibiotic use and support stewardship programs.
The service aims to address a clinical challenge: UTIs account for more than 10 million doctor visits annually in the US, and antibiotics are often prescribed before lab results are available. As many as 30% of those prescriptions turn out to be inappropriate choices, impacting patient recovery and contributing to antimicrobial resistance.
“Antibiotic stewardship is one of the most pressing challenges in healthcare today, and UTIs are a major contributor to inappropriate prescribing,” says Shawn Hood, president of Streamline Scientific, in a release. “Our enhanced PCR reporting service bridges the gap between lab results and treatment decisions, giving providers clearer insights based on the best available guidelines.”
Connecting Results to Treatment Guidelines
The enhanced reporting provides physicians with reports that connect each detected pathogen with relevant resistance markers and CLSI-based treatment guidance. Instead of requiring providers to interpret raw PCR results, the service flags ineffective drug classes and suggests better-supported alternatives.
For example, when E coli is detected with sulfonamide or trimethoprim resistance, the report identifies those drug classes as ineffective and points to alternative treatments based on CLSI M100 guidelines, which provide industry guidance for microbiology culture and sensitivity testing of UTIs.
“We designed this service with both labs and physicians in mind,” says Hood in a release. “Labs get a way to deliver more meaningful results to their clients, and physicians receive reports that are easier to interpret and directly tied to treatment guidelines.”
Implementation and Market Benefits
The service builds on existing PCR workflows and can be implemented without requiring new equipment or platforms. For reference labs, it provides a way to add clinical value and differentiate services in a competitive market. Medical practices receive simplified PCR data converted into actionable insights that support stewardship goals.
Because the service applies established CLSI guidelines to molecular testing results, it aims to enable faster, more confident prescribing decisions that align with evidence-based treatment protocols while supporting both patient care and broader antibiotic stewardship initiatives.
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