Peer-reviewed article
Cost implications of introducing the BIOFIRE FILMARRAY meningitis/encephalitis panel vs. real-time PCR in adult and pediatric populations in the UK.
Emilija Veljanoska, Agota Szende, Fiona McGill, Sofia Gomes, Shabana Malik ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study compares the costs of using a rapid multiplex PCR test (BIOFIRE FILMARRAY) versus standard real-time PCR for diagnosing meningitis and encephalitis in UK patients. The analysis found that the rapid test reduced total costs by 8-16% depending on age group and case type. The document focuses on healthcare system economics and diagnostic efficiency rather than child health outcomes or well-being.
Key points
- The BIOFIRE panel detected 14 pathogens from cerebrospinal fluid in approximately 1 hour
- Cost savings ranged from £1,071 to £1,266 depending on whether cases were suspected or confirmed and patient age
- The rapid test reduced time to targeted treatment and length of hospital stay
- The analysis was conducted from the UK NHS perspective with a per-episode time horizon
Limitations
This is a cost-consequence model, not a clinical outcomes study, so it cannot tell us about actual improvements in child survival, morbidity, or quality of life. The document does not report on actual implementation outcomes or patient-level effectiveness data.
Abstract
AIMS/BACKGROUND: Meningitis is a life-threatening infection of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, requiring early and accurate diagnosis to inform clinical management. Standard diagnostic methods, a mix of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, can be constrained by delayed processing or reduced sensitivity following antibiotic administration. The BIOFIRE FILMARRAY Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) Panel is a rapid multiplex PCR test that detects 14 specific pathogens from a CSF sample in approximately 1 h, thereby avoiding multiple targeted assays, accelerating diagnostic turnaround, and reducing the cumulative diagnostic burden. METHODS: A cost-consequence model was developed from the United Kingdom (UK) National Health Service (NHS) perspective for adults and children with suspected or confirmed meningitis. The model includes costs (diagnostic, treatment, hospital stay) and consequences (time to targeted treatment, antimicrobial use, length of stay) over a per-episode time horizon, from initial presentation through inpatient discharge. RESULTS: Results indicate that the panel reduced total costs compared to real-time PCR by 8.4% (£1,151 per adult) and 15.7% (£1,266 per child) in suspected cases; and by 7.8% (£1,071) and 14.0% (£1,131), respectively, in confirmed cases. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the BIOFIRE ME panel may improve clinical outcomes while reducing NHS resource use, aligning with national goals to optimize antimicrobial stewardship and hospital efficiency.