FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 October 6, 2011

BGH Lab Welcomes New C. diff Testing in Time for Infection Control Week

Brockville—As part of marking National Infection Control Week October 17 to 21, Brockville General Hospital (BGH) Microbiology Laboratory staff are happy to announce the recent implementation of a new and more sensitive procedure for C.difficile testing.

“Effective immediately,” explains Susan Pugh, BGH Lab Manager, “we are now using the Meridian Biosciences illumigeneTM C.difficile method. The illumigeneTM is a molecular test that detects C.difficile toxin genes, a more sensitive test than the previously used enzyme immunoassay.” 

Published comparison studies evaluate this procedure as 95% sensitive, says Pugh.  The BGH Lab has conducted validation studies and is confident of the improved sensitivity of this test.

This change supports the standardization of testing within the region (Quinte Health Care, Kingston General Hospital, Brockville General Hospital and Perth-Smiths Falls Hospitals).

The benefit to patients is less testing required. Testing used to be done daily or every few days. Repeat testing of negative patients will now be done only every seven days as a negative result means that C.difficile infection is highly unlikely.

“The process is a little more involved than our previous method,” says Lorraine Ashby, BGH Charge Technologist, Microbiology Laboratory. “The procedure takes a little more time, but it is worth it. The BGH Laboratory staff is very happy with the new test, knowing that it is the best technology we can offer. This molecular test is a form of DNA testing, which in the past would have required special lab facilities we do not have. It is very exciting for us” she adds, “to be able to provide DNA testing in a small lab like ours.”

C difficile is one of the three most common hospital-borne infections, causing severe diarrhea and possibly leading to intestinal problems such as some forms of colitis. It is tracked monthly on the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care web site (www.health.gov.on.ca ), as well as posted on the BGH public site www.bgh-on.ca . Despite a challenging rash of outbreaks in western Ontario this past summer, Brockville General Hospital has maintained normal infection levels throughout 2011 with a current rate for C diff at only one case for September.

BGH Microbiology Lab staff Lorraine Ashby, Charge Technologist (left), and Lab Manager Susan Pugh (right) flank the small but advanced components of the new DNA testing system for C difficile.

For more information, please contact:

Maggie Wheeler Communications Officer BROCKVILLE GENERAL HOSPITAL 613-345-5649 Ext. 1-1504 whema@bgh-on.ca www.bgh.on.ca

Healthy people – Outstanding Care

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