title: Impact of introduction of xpert flu assay for influenza PCR testing on obstetric patients: a quality improvement project.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this project was to assess the implementation of a quality improvement project regarding the introduction of on-site influenza PCR testing in a stand-alone obstetric hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  As part of a quality improvement project on the management of influenza in obstetric patients, the Xpert Flu assay (Cepheid Inc., Sunnyvale, CA) was introduced on-site and it replaced the previous method of PCR testing which was off-site. The main outcome measures were duration of antimicrobials, rate of admission and administration of oseltamavir in the emergency department.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-eight patients were included in the pre-intervention period and 45 patients were included in the post-intervention period. Following the introduction of the test, there was a statistically significant reduction seen in commencement of antimicrobials (76% pre- and 33% post-intervention), and also rate of admission (88% pre- and 45% post-intervention) while there was a statistically significant improvement in the commencement of oseltamavir in the emergency department (72% pre-and 95% post-intervention) (p < .01 for all outcomes).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Introduction of on-site rapid influenza PCR testing can lead to a significant improvement in patient management and should be considered for introduction to other sites.
authors.affiliation: a Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland , Dublin , Ireland.
authors.forename: Eimear
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Linehan
authors.affiliation: b Department of Infection Prevention and Control , Rotunda Hospital , Dublin , Ireland.
authors.forename: Marian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.affiliation: c Department of Clinical Microbiology , Temple Street Children's University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland.
authors.forename: Sadhbh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: O'Rourke
authors.affiliation: d National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland.
authors.forename: Suzie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coughlan
authors.affiliation: e Department of Pharmacy , Rotunda Hospital , Dublin , Ireland.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Clooney
authors.affiliation: f Department of Clinical Microbiology , Rotunda Hospital , Dublin , Ireland.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: LeBlanc
authors.affiliation: g Department of Research , Rotunda Hospital , Dublin , Ireland.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.affiliation: h Department of Obstetrics , Rotunda Hospital , Dublin , Ireland.
authors.forename: Maeve
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eogan
authors.affiliation: f Department of Clinical Microbiology , Rotunda Hospital , Dublin , Ireland.|i Department of Clinical Microbiology , Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland , Dublin , Ireland.
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9797-3797
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Drew
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D053139:Oseltamivir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis*; D058996:Quality Improvement
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D053139:Oseltamivir
keywords: GeneXpert; Influenza; PCR; Xpert Flu; obstetrics