Molecular techniques have traditionally been the remit of specialised departments within metropolitan tertiary referral laboratories. Consequently, test requests have been referred to these centres and results have been delayed while samples were transported and processed.
The ‘inception of regional molecular pathology’ project has brought this diagnostic capability closer to the patient and faster turnaround times have meant local clinicians can triage patients more effectively and appropriately through their treatment pathway.
Through this project, testing for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Faecal Bacterial Pathogens, Clostridium Difficile and Group B Streptococcal is now available at Wagga Wagga, Dubbo and South East Regional Hospital – Bega. This change has been extremely well received by clinical staff, particularly Infection Control clinicians.
Turnaround times have shown dramatic improvements. MRSA detection dropped from 49 hours for on-site culture to 4 hours; Faecal Pathogens detection have decreased from 60 hours to 11 hours.
In addition, these molecular platforms were subsequently applied to COVID-19 testing and have since completed 300,000 tests across the three regional sites. The technology has been so successful that it is now deployed across a further eight regional sites.
The move to make molecular techniques more accessible has created greater equity in patient diagnostic services for regional areas. The improvements in turnaround times have had a massive impact for clinical decision-making and improved patient pathways.
The project also provided a great opportunity for ICPMR-Westmead Microbiology and the three regional hub groups to work together to achieve better outcomes for patients.