Implementation of filmarray respiratory viral panel in a core laboratory improves testing turnaround time and patient care

Am J Clin Pathol. 2013 Jan;139(1):118-23. doi: 10.1309/AJCPH7X3NLYZPHBW.

Abstract

The FilmArray respiratory virus panel detects 15 viral agents in respiratory specimens using polymerase chain reaction. We performed FilmArray respiratory viral testing in a core laboratory at a regional children's hospital that provides service 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The average and median turnaround time were 1.6 and 1.4 hours, respectively, in contrast to 7 and 6.5 hours documented 1 year previously at an on-site reference laboratory using a direct fluorescence assay (DFA) that detected 8 viral agents. During the study period, rhinovirus was detected in 20% and coronavirus in 6% of samples using FilmArray; these viruses would not have been detected with DFA. We followed 97 patients with influenza A or influenza B who received care at the emergency department (ED). Overall, 79 patients (81%) were given oseltamivir in a timely manner defined as receiving the drug in the ED, a prescription in the ED, or a prescription within 3 hours of ED discharge. Our results demonstrate that molecular technology can be successfully deployed in a nonspecialty, high-volume, multidisciplinary core laboratory.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antigens, Viral / analysis
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Coronavirus / genetics
  • Coronavirus / immunology
  • Coronavirus / isolation & purification
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Influenza A virus / genetics
  • Influenza A virus / immunology
  • Influenza A virus / isolation & purification
  • Influenza B virus / genetics
  • Influenza B virus / immunology
  • Influenza B virus / isolation & purification
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
  • Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA Viruses / genetics
  • RNA Viruses / immunology
  • RNA Viruses / isolation & purification*
  • RNA, Viral / isolation & purification
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / diagnosis*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / virology
  • Rhinovirus / genetics
  • Rhinovirus / immunology
  • Rhinovirus / isolation & purification
  • Time Factors
  • Virology / methods*
  • Virus Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Virus Diseases / virology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antigens, Viral
  • RNA, Viral