Kettering Health Network License TEM-PCR test process DIATHERIX

Kettering Health Network is the First Nations health system to use a new testing process developed by DIATHERIX Laboratories (www.DIATHERIX.com), which dramatically reduces the time it takes to detect H1N1, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus (MRSA), Clostridium difficile (C-diff) and other infectious diseases. Kettering Medical Center (KMC) will be the first hospital in the network to use the testing system and DIATHERIX will maintain the facility was a guest at the laboratory.

The method is known as target-Enriched Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (TEM-PCR), licensed for use by Huntsville, Alabama-based DIATHERIX, allows microbiologists to test simultaneously for multiple pathogens from one specimen. This test takes about six hours to perform, compared to the conventional technology which takes a minimum of 48 hours. Rapid results improve care by reducing levels of health-related infections due to multi-drug resistant organisms.

While it improves care, TEM-PCR is also a money saver because it allows healthcare workers to appropriately isolate patients with infectious diseases in a timely fashion. Projected savings for MRSA alone is around $225,000 a year at KMC alone. Cost savings will occur with other infectious diseases as well, and these savings will be realized in all Health Kettering Hospital Network and in other hospitals in the whole area of Dayton. So, the savings can easily be projected into the millions.

Additional savings will be realized by freeing up beds and with a more efficient use of personnel and equipment. "When there is a possibility that the patient has H1N1 or MRSA, for example, he was immediately isolated until the disease can be ruled out in or out it means the patient cannot share a room with another patient ... Therefore, the second bed in a two-person room is not being used, "said Carol Quinter, Ph.d., technical director of the laboratory and Clinical Studies Coordinator.

"Every time someone enters a room isolated patients, he must dress and gloves and sometimes using a special mask," added Dr. Quinter. "All this is very time consuming, expensive, and underutilizes capacity hospital bed technology that allows us to get rid of the need for timely isolation is very valuable."

In addition to the obvious business benefits, decrease morbidity and mortality through TEM-PCR is expected to be significant nationally. Hospital-related infections cause an estimated one year death 48,000 in America. "Kettering Health Network is the first hospital to partner with DIATHERIX, which put them at the forefront of technology that would reduce health care costs while improving patient care," said Dennis Grimaud, Chairman and CEO of DIATHERIX, Inc. "Kettering have proved that they are focused on bringing new innovations for their hospital systems, physiciansand patients in their communities."

"Based on research published in active surveillance, reducing hospital acquired MRSA infections by as much as 50 percent. We think you'll see more hospitals affiliated with this company in the years to come, "said Greg Wise, m.d., Vice President for Medical Affairs of Kettering Medical Center.

The H1N1 pandemic last points up the need for prompt isolation, diagnosis and treatment for these pathogens. "Identifying the organism is very important to makean accurate diagnosis," said Catherine Bacheller, MD, Medical Director of infectionprevention and control. "Diseases caused by resistant bacteria can be treated more quickly and aggressively, with better results for patients and less potential for spread of infection to other people."

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