Impact of Rapid Identification of Species in Positive Blood Culture Using GeneXpert Methicillin-Resistant / Blood Culture Assay Combined with Antibiotic Stewardship.

bacteremia is a life-threatening condition associated with a substantial financial burden on the health care system. The use of the GeneXpert methicillin-resistant (MRSA)/ blood culture (BC) test for the identification of may influence antibiotic stewardship and clinical outcomes. This study assessed the clinical and financial impact of utilizing GeneXpert MRSA/SA in combination with criterion-based testing. The outcomes between October 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019, were evaluated in 65 adult patients who had positive BCs with Gram-positive cocci in clusters. GeneXpert MRSA/SA significantly shortened the time to optimal antimicrobial therapy by 1.7 days (2.5 vs. 44 hr,  < 0.0001). The cost saved because of interventions based on GeneXpert testing results was $4,121. GeneXpert testing has shortened the time to optimal therapy and positively impacted cost, although it had no significant effect on length of hospital stay and mortality rate.