Implementation Of The Filmarray (Tm) Method In Pediatric Patients With Severe Infections

The implementation of multiple PCR FilmArray (TM) (Biofire Diagnostics, LLC, USA) for 21 children with low acute respiratory infection, 3 with meningoencephalitis, and 1 case of sepsis was evaluated. Delay time until the result was obtained and the treatment adapted, hospitalization days, pathogens detected and the cost of incorporating this methodology were all recorded. In the children studied with FilmArray (TM) the result was available 90 minutes after the sample was taken. Pathogens were not demonstrated by the available methods, such as Rhinovirus, apart from diagnosing viral coinfection, the average length of stay was 5 days. It was estimated to reduce the overall cost of hospitalization by 40%. The implementation of FilmArray (TM) was simple and could be incorporated into the work system. Although this experience included a low number of patients, it provided information that demonstrates the potential of this methodology for better management of the critical patient.