Duke University Medical Center Publishes Report On Antifungal Drug Cost Savings Of C. albicans PNA FISH Implementation

WOBURN, Mass., April 14 /PRNewswire/ -- A paper published by physicians at Duke University Medical Center (Durham, NC) in the April 2006 issue of Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Diseases reports potential cost savings of C. albicans PNA FISH implementation of $1837 for every patient with a yeast-positive blood culture. The paper concludes that "incorporating the C. albicans PNA FISH test as part of the initial identification algorithm for yeasts recovered in blood can result in substantial cost savings for hospitals. The majority of savings realized are in antifungal expenditures. Although total savings will vary, decreased costs may be achieved across a range of practice patterns and institutional rates of azole resistance."(1)

"We are pleased to enable major medical centers such as Duke University among others to support appropriate antifungal prescribing strategies via our rapid tests," said Thais T. Johansen, co-founder and CEO of AdvanDx, Inc. He added, "This paper emphasizes the significant benefits hospital enterprises can realize by implementing PNA FISH both in the microbiology lab and on the medical floors via a coordinated antibiotic utilization improvement program."

Abstract

Cost savings with implementation of PNA FISH testing for identification of Candida albicans in blood cultures

Barbara D. Alexander(a), Elizabeth Dodds Ashley(a), L. Barth Rellera(b), and Shelby D. Reed(c)

Abstract:

Antifungal expenditures are substantial for many hospitals. Using caspofungin for the treatment of candidemia accounts for a sizable proportion of the costs. A cost minimization study that used a decision analytic model was done to compare in-hospital diagnosis and treatment costs using the Candida albicans peptide nucleic acid fluorescence in situ hybridization (PNA FISH) test versus the C. albicans screen test for differentiating C. albicans from non-albicans Candida species bloodstream infections. Assuming physician notification of yeast identity concurrent with blood culture positivity, potential savings resulting from use of the C. albicans PNA FISH test compared with the C. albicans screen test averaged $1837 per patient treated, although laboratory costs for doing the C. albicans PNA FISH test ($82.72) exceeded those for the C. albicans screen test ($2.83). Savings were realized through a decrease in antifungal drug costs, particularly caspofungin. Incorporating the C. albicans PNA FISH test as part of the initial identification algorithm for yeasts recovered from blood can result in substantial savings for hospitals.

(1) Alexander et al. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. April 2006;54(4):277-82. Epub 2006 Feb 8. (a) Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3035, Durham, NC 27710, USA (b) Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA (c) Center for Clinical and Genetic Economics, Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710 About AdvanDx

AdvanDx, Inc. develops and markets in vitro diagnostic kits based on its PNA FISH(TM) and EVIGENE(TM) technologies to aid the diagnosis and prevention of infectious diseases. The PNA FISH and EVIGENE product lines provide rapid identification results for bacteria and yeast to support appropriate antibiotic therapy and overall patient care. Headquartered at the 128 technology highway around Boston, AdvanDx has established R&D facilities both in the United States and Denmark with Sales & Marketing capabilities located throughout the United States and Europe.

CONTACT: Philip Onigman, Director of Sales & Marketing of AdvanDx, Inc.,+1-781-376-0009, po@advandx.com