2025/07/11 by Maxime Paluch, N. Ettahar, B. Lagraulet +8 · 1 voice
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Immunology and Microbiology · Medicine · #Antibiotic Use and Resistance #Bacterial Identification and Susceptibility Testing #Streptococcal Infections and Treatments
paper · pdf · doi:10.1007/s10096-025-05200-x
openalex publication_date 2025/07/11 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
PURPOSE: Early availability of identification of bacterial pathogens and knowledge of their antimicrobial susceptibility is crucial when managing patients with bloodstream infections (BSI). We aimed to assess the impact of the laboratory conversion (full automation and conversion to 24/7 workflow) on laboratory efficiency, timeliness of diagnostic results, and patient outcomes. METHODS: An observational retrospective study was conducted to compare lab organisation, laboratory times including turnaround time (TAT) for positive blood cultures (PBCs), antimicrobial therapy (antibiotic prescription, time to first antibiotic modification), patient outcomes (30-day mortality, hospital and ICU discharge), and antibiotic consumption for pre- and post-conversion periods (January to December 2019 versus June 2021 to May 2022) in adults with BSI admitted to the ICU at the Centre Hospitalier de Valenciennes. Multivariable models were used to compare periods, adjusting for relevant patient characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 116 and 128 PBCs from 104 to 112 patients in pre- and post-conversion were analysed. TAT decreased significantly for clinically significant episodes (median 30.4 (n = 83) versus 27.1 h (n = 84), p = 0.004). The percent of PBCs with antimicrobial susceptibility testing results available within 24 h increased significantly for night shift PBCs (0.9% versus 18.7%; p < 0.0001). A significant reduction in time to first antibiotic modification occurred (median difference of 19.1 h, p = 0.04). Additionally, we observed for the post-conversion a 51% increase in probability of ICU discharge (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.51, 95%CI 1.09‒2.08, p = 0.014) and a trend towards a reduction in 30-day mortality (HR = 0.65, 95%CI 0.40‒1.06, p = 0.085). CONCLUSION: Laboratory reorganisation improved laboratory efficiency, leading to improvements in the management of patients with BSIs. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER : Not applicable.