Sacred Heart Hospital first in region to offer onsite lab tests to detect 2009 H1N1 within 2 hours

With the installation of a new molecular testing platform, Sacred Heart Hospital is the first hospital in the region to offer advanced on-site laboratory tests to detect the DNA of MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), Clostridium difficile and Influenza A and 2009 H1N1 in less than 2 hours of receiving the specimen. This method provides analysis of infectious disease at least 12 times faster than previous methods. This new system means that Sacred Heart Hospital’s Laboratory can provide physicians with faster results with greater accuracy and a broader test menu.

MRSA, Clostridium difficile, and influenza A/ 2009 H1N1 can spread in both community and healthcare settings. In a hospital, a newly admitted patient with these infections (but no symptoms) may be the most common source of transmission and infection. This risk of infection is dangerous to patients that undergo invasive medical procedures or who have weakened immune systems. These infections can cause serious and potentially life-threatening conditions such as bloodstream and surgical site infections and pneumonia.

Deb Bloom, MT(ASCP), Director of Laboratory Services, HSHS Division (Sacred Heart Hospital & St. Joseph’s Hospital) explained, “Current infectious disease testing involves a typical turnaround window of 24-48 hours; forcing clinical care to proceed under the assumption the patient may be infectious, although best practice clinical treatment cannot be provided until results are confirmed. The 24-48 hour turnaround time results in potential over-treatment of antibiotics and potential transmission of patients with unconfirmed infections. The faster and more accurate molecular testing platform is a new tool in Sacred Heart Hospital’s arsenal of infection control protocols.”

This technology not only saves lives, it helps reduce overall healthcare costs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people infected with antibiotic-resistant organisms like MRSA are more likely to have longer and more expensive hospital stays, and may be more likely to die as a result of the infection. When the drug of choice for treating their infection doesn’t work, they require additional treatment with second- or third-choice medicines that may be less effective, more toxic and more expensive.

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Sacred Heart Hospital is an affiliate of the Hospital Sisters Health System. Since 1889 it

has been meeting patient needs in western Wisconsin with the latest medical innovations and technology, together with a Franciscan whole-person healing tradition.