Ms Megan Mills1, Ms Danielle Bishop1, Professor Joseph Torresi1, Mrs Lauren Cullen1
1Knox Private Hospital, Wantirna, Australia
Method or Actions: Test turnaround time (TAT) for the BioFire Respiratory Panel 2.1 plus (RP2.1 plus) was compared to existing laboratory-based PCR methods for SARS-CoV-2 testing of admitted KPH patients (n=400). Outcomes examined included duration of emergency department stay, staff personal protective equipment (PPE) usage, and the generation of clinical waste.
Results: BioFire Respiratory Panel 2.1 plus testing system resulted in a significant reduction in TAT (1 hr) compared to conventional testing (61 hr). BioFire testing improved KPH emergency department (10 hrs vs 14 hrs delay) patient flow. The time in which patients were in a period of precaution hours was reduced (61 hrs to 3.5 hrs). Staff in personal protective equipment for COVID-19 precautions and the associated clinical waste generated was also significantly reduced leading to improved resource utilization.
Conclusion: The introduction of the BioFire FilmArray system supported the optimisation of infection control procedures for suspected COVID-19 patients, reducing the economic costs and minimising the burden experienced by staff caring for these patients.
Background: Knox Private Hospital (KPH) established a dedicated ward for care of infected aged care residents during the 2020 Victorian COVID-19 surge. COVID-19 precautions introduced had an immediate and significant impact on health services delivery and staff resources. To optimise patient management, KPH evaluated the use of a BioFire® FilmArray® multiplex real-time PCR system for SARS-CoV-2 testing. The impact of rapid syndromic infectious disease testing on infection control management and health service outcomes associated with the care of suspected COVID-19 patients is reported.
Biography: Lauren Cullen is a Registered Nurse with a Post-Graduation Certificate in Infection Control. She has extensive experience in the field of infection control since 2008 and is the current Infection Control Manager at Knox Private Hospital since 2017.
Danielle Bishop is the Infection Control Coordinator at both Knox Private Hospital and Bellbird Private Hospital. Danielle was instrumental in assisting the aged care sector during the COVID pandemic by managing a COVID positive unit at Knox Private Hospital. Danielle was then promoted to the Infection Control Manager during 2021.