Reduction of response time for the assessment of invasive bacterial disease in bacteriology by using h24 molecular tests at low operational impact

In February 2017, the Lombardy Region (Italy) provided some indications for the surveillance of invasive bacterial diseases, including the need to perform molecular tests together with culture and other diagnostic tests. Starting from September 2017, the Microbiology and Virology Unit of ASST Lecco has acquired the FilmArray system (BioMérieux, Marcy-l’Étoile, France) which includes the Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) panel, able to identify 14 common pathogens responsible for community acquired meningitis or encephalitis including virus, bacteria and yeast with molecular technology directly from cerebrospinal fluid (CFS). In 2018, the organizational model implemented has provided to use of the FilmArray system by the TSLB dedicated to microbiology during routine hours (8.00-16.30) and by the TSLB of Clinical Pathology on active guard from 16.30 to 8.00 with validation of the analysis by the Manager available. The new organization, which involved the use of the FilmArray ME h 24 panel by the TSLB who works belonging to Clinical Pathology and Microbiology and Virology, has allowed a considerable reduction of response times in case of suspected meningitis.