Is it a case of goodbye CRP hello Procalcitonin?
I think we may be poised on the threshold of an avalanche of requests for
Procalcitonins. The paper by Simon et al "Serum Procalcitonin and C Reactive
Protein levels as Markers of Bacterial Infection CID 2004;39: 206-217
concluded.
"Early identifications of infections is still a challenge for clinicians.
The general consensus is not to provide antibiotics for every suspected
infection because of emerging issues with bacterial resistance....... based
on meta analysis PCT levels were more accurate markers for bacterial
infection than CRP levels, both when differentiating bacterial infection
from non infective causes if inflammation and when differentiating bacterial
from viral infections"
So does anyone have a protocol regarding PCT measurements in respect of
antibiotic prescribing?? Is it evidence based and has it been audited?
I am guessing the time course of PCT needs to be considered in this respect.
PCT secretion begins within 4 hrs of stimulation peaks at 8 hrs and returns
to normal once the insult is under control.
All replies welcome
Cheers
John
-----Original Message-----
From: Clinical biochemistry discussion list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Ford Clare (RLZ)
Sent: 03 May 2006 12:49
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: CRP demand management
I have been asked to reduce the lab spend on CRP by 10%. We do not
currently have tick boxes on request forms. We don't currently have front
end software to limit repeat testing although this may be available in the
foreseeable future.
Has anyone managed to reduce CRP requesting? Is there any evidence on the
interval for repeat testing?
Does anyone prevent both ESR and CRP being requested on the same sample?
Are there any situations where it would be necessary to have both ESR and
CRP?
Sorry about raising this old chestnut again but I can see plenty of
questions on this subject on the archive list but not many answers!
Many Thanks
Clare Ford
Principal Biochemist
Dept Clinical Biochemistry
Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
Mytton Oak Rd
Shrewsbury
SY3 8PH
Tel: 01743 261000 X3536
Fax: 01743 261159
[log in to unmask]
This electronic message may contain information from Shrewsbury and Telford
Hospital NHS Trust which may be privileged or confidential. The information
is intended to be for the use of the individual(s) or entity named above. If
you are not the intended recipient be aware that any disclosure, copying,
distribution or use of the contents of this information is prohibited. If
you have received this electronic message in error, please notify us by
telephone or email (to the numbers or address above) immediately.
------ACB discussion List Information--------
This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical
community working in clinical biochemistry.
Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed
via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and
they are responsible for all message content.
ACB Web Site
http://www.acb.org.uk
List Archives
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html
List Instructions (How to leave etc.)
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/
------ACB discussion List Information--------
This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical
community working in clinical biochemistry.
Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed
via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and
they are responsible for all message content.
ACB Web Site
http://www.acb.org.uk
List Archives
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html
List Instructions (How to leave etc.)
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/
|