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Diagnostics Provider Helps Reduce Unnecessary Antibiotic Prescription
The Microbiology Department at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital (RHCH) in Winchester has chosen bioMérieux’s VIDAS® B·R·A·H·M·S PCT test for measurement of serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels, to indicate bacterial infection and help guide prescription of antibiotics. Procalcitonin, an early biomarker that increases during bacterial infection and sepsis, can assist in optimising and monitoring antibiotic treatment. VIDAS B·R·A·H·M·S PCT is an easy to use, cost effective test performed on the VIDAS/mini VIDAS instruments.
Dr Kordo Saeed, consultant microbiologist at the RHCH, explained: “PCT is an established and effective indicator of early infection, differentiating between infected and uninfected patients. We used VIDAS B·R·A·H·M·S PCT to carry out a six-month evaluation of the effect of procalcitonin testing on our antibiotic decision process, and it proved very helpful. Microbiologists and clinicians were able to use PCT concentration, in addition to clinical history, as a guide to deciding whether to start patients on a course of antibiotics or not, or to discontinue ongoing treatment. Where there was clinical uncertainty and PCT levels were raised, early treatment was initiated. If PCT was below the cut off levels, antibiotic use was avoided without any adverse effects on the patient.”
Dr Saeed concluded: “By using PCT measurements to reduce unnecessary antimicrobial prescription, ‘collateral damage’ such as Clostridium difficile associated diseases (CDAD) and IV line infections, can be decreased. This leads to shorter inpatient treatment and savings in staff time and antibiotic costs, making PCT testing an important tool in our antibiotic stewardship programme.”
LAB PRODUCTS Circle no. 549
LABORATORY PRODUCTS
Birmingham Uni Flex it Again
The innovative PURELAB®
flex water purification
system from Elga Process Water has proved so popular in the Department of Cancer Sciences at Birmingham University that a second unit has been purchased three months after buying the first. In addition, an SDI Inclusive+ water purifier was purchased simultaneously for deionised water directly from the mains water supply.
New Sparkfree Fan Assisted Laboratory Refrigerator
Labcold, a leading UK manufacturer of scientific and medical refrigeration have added a new 430 litre, sparkfree fridge to their extensive range of purpose designed laboratory fridges and freezers.
This new slim line model is designed to not only provide a massive 430 litres of storage with the smallest foot print possible, but uniquely comes with an internal fan powered by a sparkfree motor to maintain tight temperature tolerances. Complete with a door lock, integral digital display and a high/low temperature alarm, there has never been a more space efficient and secure way to keep volatile materials, reagents, chemicals and samples cool.
The use of non-sparkfree or domestic refrigerators in laboratories has been responsible for many fires. Since 1997, there have been 25 serious fires in laboratories, which it is estimated caused loses in excess of £13 million. This alarming statistic shows that a purpose designed, sparkfree refrigerator from a specialist manufacturer is essential in order to safeguard samples, research and most importantly, health and safety.
LAB PRODUCTS Circle no. 550
Dr Angelo Agathanggelou, a postdoctoral scientist in the Department, explained some of the benefits staff have experienced: “The thing we’re most impressed with is how you can programme the PURELAB®
flex to dispense a set volume and then
walk away. You don’t have to keep your finger on the button or watch to prevent it overflowing. Unlike our previous water purification systems, the PURELAB®
flex dispenses rapidly so waiting time is
greatly reduced, plus its height can be adjusted to virtually any size container."
Technical Manager Sue Rookes, added: “We’re always looking for the best value for money equipment we can buy. Our water purification consumables budget can run to five figures a year, so it’s important to be as cost-effective as possible. It’s one of the reasons we also purchased the SDI Inclusive+ system, which connects to a tap to produce good quality deionised water to feed the equipment. The SDI Inclusive+ needed no capital outlay and helps us to prolong the life of our consumables and manage our budget better.”
The service contract with Elga Process Water includes maintenance of all of the laboratory water purification systems on-site, including those of other suppliers. By having just one supplier, maintenance has become much easier and more reliable for Birmingham University than ever before.
LAB PRODUCTS Circle no. 551
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