Candida auris: PCR Screening for Infection Prevention

In an effort to contain the spread of multidrug resistant nosocomial infections with Candida auris (C. auris), the BayCare Laboratory and BayCare Infection Prevention departments developed a screening algorithm to identify patients colonized with C. auris. Specifically patients admitted from Long Term Care facilities and those known to be exposed to other C. auris positive patients are tested by PCR and fungal culture. Patients are kept in isolation until the results of the test are known. Validation of the PCR assay followed CAP recommendations and included accuracy, sensitivity and specificity studies.

 

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