Can Beta-D-Glucan testing as part of the diagnostic pathway for invasive fungal infection reduce anti-fungal treatment costs?

Hamilton, David O, Lambe, Tosin ORCID: 0000-0002-6229-2454, Howard, Alexander ORCID: 0000-0002-4195-6821, Crossey, Patricia, Hughes, Jennifer, Duarte, Rui and Welters, Ingeborg D ORCID: 0000-0001-8734-994X (2022) Can Beta-D-Glucan testing as part of the diagnostic pathway for invasive fungal infection reduce anti-fungal treatment costs? MEDICAL MYCOLOGY, 60 (5). myac034-.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/mmy/myac034

Abstract

We performed a cost comparison of the current diagnostic and treatment pathway for invasive fungal infection (IFI) versus a proposed pathway that incorporates Beta-D-Glucan (BDG) testing from the NHS perspective. A fungal pathogen was identified in 58/107 (54.2%) patients treated with systemic anti-fungals in the Critical Care Department. Mean therapy duration was 23 days (standard deviation [SD] = 22 days), and cost was £5590 (SD = £7410) per patient. Implementation of BDG tests in the diagnostic and treatment pathway of patients with suspected IFI could result in a mean saving of £1643 per patient should a result be returned within 2 days.<h4>Lay summary</h4>Invasive fungal infection increases the risk of death in very sick people. So, treatment is started before test results are known. Beta-D-Glucan (BDG) test is faster than standard blood culture tests. We estimate that using BDG tests in how patients are diagnosed could save about £1643 per patient.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	anti-fungal stewardship, beta-D-glucan, cost analysis
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Life Courses and Medical Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Population Health
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	15 Jun 2022 10:10
Last Modified:	18 May 2023 01:30
DOI:	10.1093/mmy/myac034
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3156526