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Cost savings with implementation of PNA FISH testing for identification of Candida albicans in blood cultures.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Alexander, BD; Ashley, ED; Reller, LB; Reed, SD
Published in: Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis
April 2006

Antifungal expenditures are substantial for many hospitals. Using caspofungin for the treatment of candidemia accounts for a sizable proportion of the costs. A cost minimization study that used a decision analytic model was done to compare in-hospital diagnosis and treatment costs using the Candida albicans peptide nucleic acid fluorescence in situ hybridization (PNA FISH) test versus the C. albicans screen test for differentiating C. albicans from non-albicans Candida species bloodstream infections. Assuming physician notification of yeast identity concurrent with blood culture positivity, potential savings resulting from use of the C. albicans PNA FISH test compared with the C. albicans screen test averaged $1837 per patient treated, although laboratory costs for doing the C. albicans PNA FISH test ($82.72) exceeded those for the C. albicans screen test ($2.83). Savings were realized through a decrease in antifungal drug costs, particularly caspofungin. Incorporating the C. albicans PNA FISH test as part of the initial identification algorithm for yeasts recovered from blood can result in substantial savings for hospitals.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis

DOI

ISSN

0732-8893

Publication Date

April 2006

Volume

54

Issue

4

Start / End Page

277 / 282

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • Peptide Nucleic Acids
  • Microbiology
  • Lipopeptides
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Humans
  • Fungemia
  • Echinocandins
  • Cost Savings
  • Caspofungin
 

Citation

APA
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ICMJE
MLA
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Alexander, B. D., Ashley, E. D., Reller, L. B., & Reed, S. D. (2006). Cost savings with implementation of PNA FISH testing for identification of Candida albicans in blood cultures. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 54(4), 277–282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2005.10.011
Alexander, Barbara D., Elizabeth Dodds Ashley, L Barth Reller, and Shelby D. Reed. “Cost savings with implementation of PNA FISH testing for identification of Candida albicans in blood cultures.Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 54, no. 4 (April 2006): 277–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2005.10.011.
Alexander BD, Ashley ED, Reller LB, Reed SD. Cost savings with implementation of PNA FISH testing for identification of Candida albicans in blood cultures. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2006 Apr;54(4):277–82.
Alexander, Barbara D., et al. “Cost savings with implementation of PNA FISH testing for identification of Candida albicans in blood cultures.Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, vol. 54, no. 4, Apr. 2006, pp. 277–82. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2005.10.011.
Alexander BD, Ashley ED, Reller LB, Reed SD. Cost savings with implementation of PNA FISH testing for identification of Candida albicans in blood cultures. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2006 Apr;54(4):277–282.
Journal cover image

Published In

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis

DOI

ISSN

0732-8893

Publication Date

April 2006

Volume

54

Issue

4

Start / End Page

277 / 282

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • Peptide Nucleic Acids
  • Microbiology
  • Lipopeptides
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Humans
  • Fungemia
  • Echinocandins
  • Cost Savings
  • Caspofungin