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The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) -- one of the largest integratedhealthcare systems in the country -- is taking a leading role in improvingpolicies to reduce MRSA infection. In January 2007, it issued a directiverequiring all VHA facilities to implement MRSA surveillance programs of allpatients. While this directive does not mandate polymerase chain reaction(PCR) testing, it advises molecular based testing wherever feasible.
"We continue to see strong adoption of our Xpert MRSA test at VA hospitalsacross the country," said Cepheid Chief Executive Officer John L. Bishop. "TheGeneXpert System and Xpert MRSA test are easy to deploy in accounts with andwithout prior experience in clinical molecular diagnostics. In addition, thescalability of the system lends itself to a variety of testing volumes whilesimultaneously maximizing work flow efficiency. These benefits are enablinggroups of hospitals like regional Veterans Integrated Services Networks to beable to standardize MRSA surveillance with a single molecular diagnostictest."
In an additional development, the Veterans Integrated Services Network(VISN) 12, known as Great Lakes Health Care System, plans to screen everypatient admitted to and discharged from intensive care units and projects tocomplete approximately 40,000 Xpert MRSA tests per year. VISN 12 provideshealthcare services to 1.1 million veterans residing in Illinois, Michigan'sUpper Peninsula, Wisconsin and Northwest Indiana. VISN 12 operates sevenmedical centers, 30 outpatient clinics, five nursing homes, and twodomiciliaries.
"With Xpert MRSA, VISN 12 now has a rapid molecular diagnostic for MRSAthat can be used around the clock. It also provides us with a standard testthat can be used at small facilities with a few beds to large facilities withhundreds of beds," said VISN 12 Chief Pathologist Dr. Bruce Dunn. "Ourpreliminary validation data is positive and we see the potential to achievesignificant savings in current infection control and treatment costs."
MRSA is a growing public health concern, and is cited as the leading causeof Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs). According to the U.S. Centers forDisease Control and Prevention (CDC), HAIs number over 2 million annually, andthat more than 100,000 hospital patients die each year as a result ofcontracting an infection while being treated for another condition. Accordingto U.S. Congressional Record (H.R. Bill 1174), these HAIs contribute to over$50 billion in annual medical costs. MRSA infection rates have increased everyyear since 1970.
About the GeneXpert System
The GeneXpert System is a closed, self-contained, fully-integrated andautomated platform that represents a paradigm shift in the automation ofmolecular analysis, producing accurate results in a timely manner with minimalrisk of contamination. Three clinical diagnostics for the GeneXpert Systemhave received FDA clearance for marketing in the U.S. including Xpert MRSA forMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Xpert(TM) EV for enteroviralmeningitis, and Xpert(TM) GBS for Group B Streptococcus.
About Federal Supply Service
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Service(FSS) provides federal cu
