Vivalytic Candida auris: St. Thomas Hospital in London introduces Rapid PCR Tests to Manage C. auris Outbreak
Pioneering Proactive Measures to Minimize Transmission Risks in Healthcare Settings
Health authorities warn of further spread of Candida auris
The rise of Candida auris poses a significant and growing challenge to infection control in healthcare facilities. As a highly resilient, multidrug-resistant yeast, C. auris is increasingly responsible for infections in hospitals and care facilities. Patients who are immunocompromised are particularly susceptible to severe complications, including life-threatening conditions like sepsis. Recent reports consistently highlight an increase in C. auris cases, prompting health authorities to issue warnings about its potential for wider spread. Given the organism's ability to persist on surfaces and transmit readily in healthcare environments, strengthening infection control measures with effective tools is crucial for patient safety and outbreak prevention.
Rapid Results, Rapid Response: The Vivalytic System's Role in Halting C. auris Transmission
St. Thomas' Hospital, a leading institution in healthcare innovation, is at the forefront of combating the spread of Candida auris. Demonstrating its proactive commitment to patient safety, the hospital has successfully implemented Vivalytic C. auris Rapid PCR tests as a cornerstone of its enhanced infection control strategy. This initiative positions St. Thomas' as a prime example of effective pathogen management within a complex clinical environment.
The integration of Vivalytic C. auris PCR testing provides significant advancements in the hospital's infection control efforts:
- High-Volume Capacity: Operating eight Vivalytic platforms, the laboratory processes approximately 90 samples daily, seven days a week, during a 12-hour shift (8 am to 8 pm).
- Rapid Results: Each PCR test offers a straightforward setup and delivers results in approximately one hour, allowing for quick decision-making.
- Optimized Workflow: C. auris screenings are strategically staggered across different days of the week, ensuring comprehensive surveillance that is seamlessly integrated into routine ward workloads without overwhelming resources.
- Reduced Turnaround Time (TAT): PCR results are available in just 1 hour, in stark contrast, traditional culture methods require an average TAT of almost 92 hours, extending to 147 hours for positive results (due to extended incubation for sensitivity testing).
This significant reduction in Time-to-Result empowers immediate, informed decision-making, crucial for effective patient management and swift isolation protocols, thereby minimizing the risk of C. auris transmission.
