Blackpool hospitals use genetic testing to reduce MRSA

22 November 2012

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has introduced rapid screening for the superbug MRSA of all emergency admissions patients, and both MRSA and MSSA for surgical patients admitted through A&E.

The Trust uses the BD GeneOhm Assay, an in vitro diagnostic test that uses nasal swabs in patients at risk of colonisation. The technology used in the assay is rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing method that enables identification of the infection through its DNA.

The test gives definitive results in just two hours as opposed to the two to five days associated with traditional culture methods. This enables timely reporting, aides the clinical decision making process and ensures that high standards are maintained, costs are dramatically reduced and healthcare associated infection (HAIs) are kept to a minimum.

Pilot study

The Trust carried out an initial 12-month pilot study of screening all emergency patients using the rapid PCR testing method. The results saw the number of MRSA bacteraemia fall dramatically from the pre-study to pilot study period, and demonstrated clinical benefits & economic advantages of using rapid screening techniques.

In August 2010 the programme was extended to include MSSA (methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus) for all surgical patients admitted through A&E. Preliminary data also shows a significant drop in MSSA bacteraemia from 2009/10 to 2011/12.

Dr Achyut Guleri, Consultant Microbiologist and Head of Department for Clinical Laboratory Medicine at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust says: “The rapid PCR screening system enables timely reporting, aides the clinical decision making process and ensures that high standards of patient management are maintained. Reduced healthcare associated infections are associated with significant cost savings that can be re-invested in other areas of healthcare, transforming patient care in the Fylde coast”.

The trust has carefully considered the clinical benefits and economic advantages of the programme and extended it beyond the pilot. Since the introduction of rapid PCR screening, the number of positive MRSA and MSSA infections including bacteraemias at the hospital have continued to decline with associated reduction in the average length of stay.