Researchers examined whether having rapid molecular results of Staphylococcus aureus tests available in real-time would impact the antimicrobial selection of emergency department clinicians in a recent study published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
They performed a prospective, controlled trial in two urban, academic emergency departments involving adults with cutaneous abscesses. All total, 252 patients were enrolled in the study and 126 were randomized to receive a rapid molecular test, as opposed to a standard of care culture-based test.
The study revealed:
1. Patients who tested positive for methicillin-susceptible S. aureus and received the rapid test results were prescribed beta-lactams 14.5 percent more often than controls.
2. Patients who tested positive for methicillin-resistant S. aureus and received rapid test results were prescribed anti-methicillin-resistant S. aureus antibiotics 21.5 percent more often than controls.
3. Ultimately, the more available rapid molecular test results were to clinicians, the more likely they were to select a more-targeted antibiotic for their patient. Despite the antibiotics chosen, there were no significant differences in clinical outcomes between the two groups after one week or three months.
More articles on staph infections:
10 things for CFOs to know about MRSA
Nasal bacteria may help prevent spread of Staph, MRSA
Study analyzes prevalence of postoperative Staph joint infections: 5 findings