Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health Medical Center is the fifth institution in the nation to begin using the bioMérieux VITEK® REVEAL™ analyzer, a rapid blood culture testing tool that can help providers identify effective antibiotics for certain bloodstream infections approximately 24 hours sooner than standard methods.
The new tool, which was implemented in July, can help enable faster treatment, improve patient care and reduce broad-spectrum antibiotic resistance. The analyzer can work directly from a blood culture sample that tests positive for certain, designated types of harmful bacteria to determine which antibiotics are most effective for treatment.
“We know that seconds count when it comes to treating disease, and the Vitek Reveal analyzer is an innovative tool to focus therapy for patients right here in eastern North Carolina,” said Dr. Brooks Mitchell, interim director of microbiology, ECU Health Medical Center. Providers equipped with the right information are more likely to make the right decision with less risk of a patient developing resistance that can slow down their recovery.”
ECU Health Medical Center will use the Vitek Reveal analyzer to identify specific microbes that cause sepsis. That allows providers to escalate care accordingly, and in some cases could mean shorter stays at the hospital.
Clinicians will still play the vital role of identifying patient-specific factors such as allergies or other adverse reactions to certain antibiotics and determining the best treatment options for patients. The ability to select the right antibiotic to treat specific microbes also means patients are less likely to develop resistance to broad-spectrum antibiotics, maintaining medication’s efficiency in treating microbial disease.
The road to launching the new Vitek Reveal analyzer was a multidisciplinary effort between ECU Health Medical Center’s Microbiology Lab and Infectious Disease Pharmacy. The analyzer will be used in tandem with existing tools to maximize its efficiency.
“Having the right tool for the job is important, but it matters more when those tools are in the hands of skilled professionals,” said Jay Briley, president, ECU Health Medical Center. “We are excited to offer state-of-the-art care close to home for patients in eastern North Carolina, and even more excited to see the impacts this tool and our dedicated physicians and team members will have on treating disease across the region.”