New study finds host-response diagnostic improves clinician confidence in identifying sepsis

DANVILLE, Pa. - A newly published study highlights the potential of an innovative host-response diagnostic test to improve clinical decision making in identifying sepsis, a leading cause of hospital mortality worldwide and a complex condition to diagnose in emergency care settings.

Sepsis, a life-threatening response to infection, presents significant diagnostic challenges due to its varied symptoms and the absence of a single definitive test. Early and accurate identification is critical to improving patient outcomes, yet clinicians often must rely on incomplete or evolving clinical information.

In a collaborative effort with three other institutions, the Microbiology Research Team and the Department of Emergency Medicine evaluated how a cellular host-response diagnostic test could support clinical decision-making in the emergency department.

The study, titled "Impact of a Cellular Host-Response Sepsis Diagnostic on Clinical Decision-Making in the Emergency Department: A Vignette-Based Study," is now available online via ScienceDirect.

Overview
Emergency medicine clinicians reviewed a series of adjudicated, deidentified patient case vignettes from a prior observational study using the host-response diagnostic test. For the initial set of cases, clinicians assessed whether each patient was experiencing sepsis and rated their confidence in their decision.

Following a brief training on the host-response diagnostic test, clinicians evaluated a second set of cases that included test results.

Key findings
● Incorporating the host-response diagnostic test increased clinicians' confidence in diagnosing sepsis.
● Test results supported or influenced clinical decision-making in 86% of cases.
● The findings suggest that integrating this diagnostic approach may enhance clinical assessment in time-sensitive emergency settings.

"This study underscores the importance of innovative diagnostic tools in addressing the complexity of sepsis," said Eric Melnychuk, DO, associate professor of emergency and critical care medicine. "By increasing clinician confidence, we can better support timely and appropriate care decisions for patients facing this life-threatening condition."

The success of the study reflects strong interdisciplinary collaboration between emergency medicine clinicians and the Microbiology Research Team, including key contributions from Dr. Eric Melnychuk, Dr. Donna Wolk, PhD, Amanda Styer and colleagues.

Read the full study:
sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2688115226000330

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