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3M Wellness Care, a leader in infection prevention for more than 30 years, has announces plans to introduce the 3M? Rapid Detection Flu A+B Test, a sensitive assay designed to deliver reliable, qualitative and objective electronic outcomes in 15 minutes.
Expected to be accessible prior to the 2008-2009 flu season, the Rapid Detection Flu Test quickly delivers objective results by way of an easy-to-use self-timed reader. Requiring much less than 3 minutes of prep time, positive or negative results are detected, differentiated as influenza A or B and displayed by the automated 3M? Rapid Detection Reader. The fluorescent reader helps eliminate user interpretation errors, which can lead to each false negative or false positive results.
Additionally, the Rapid Detection Reader reads and stores test outcomes which gives lab technicians more flexibility in time and test management by eliminating the critical test read time period required by all current flu tests. Its capability to export data further reduces prospective for reporting error by eliminating the want for manual transfer of patient outcomes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, rapid testing of influenza makes it possible for for more appropriate infection management, such as reducing inappropriate use of antibiotics, reducing the spread of infection inside the well being care environment and faster tracking and reporting.(1, 2)
“We are pleased to be launching the 3M? Rapid Detection Flu A+B Test as our 1st U.S. product on the 3M Medical Diagnostics platform,” said Jeff Hillins, Medical Diagnostics global enterprise manager, 3M Medical Division. “This test’s ability to offer objective outcomes and its ability to read and store information helps address real pain points for hospital laboratories. As a highly contagious disease, quick and accurate diagnosis is essential to limit influenza spread, and may ultimately minimize expenses and improve patient outcomes in the wellness care setting.”
The Rapid Detection Flu Test will be the initial 3M diagnostic test to be launched following a 2006 agreement between 3M and Response Biomedical Corporation to develop and commercialize diagnostic products targeting hospital and community acquired infectious illnesses utilizing Response Biomedical’s technologies.
“The 3M? Rapid Detection Flu A+B Test is actually a key addition towards the growing number of trusted infection prevention solutions we offer the wellness care community,” commented Chuck Kummeth, vice president and general manager, 3M Medical Division. “This may be the first of several rapid diagnostic solutions we plan to bring to the marketplace that help hospitals improve patient outcomes, decrease fees and minimize the impact of resistant microbes.”
Health and Economic Consequences of Flu
Influenza is a extremely contagious and potentially life-threatening viral respiratory infection affecting millions of Americans annually. Each year, five to 20 percent of the U.S. population becomes ill with “the flu”.(3) Flu can lead to severe complications and results in more than 200,000 hospitalizations and roughly 36,000 deaths every year.(4) Influenza acquired inside the hospital results in approximately $3,800 in extra charges per patient, according to one study.(5)
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About 3M Wellness Care
Since inventing Ioban? antimicrobial incise surgical drapes more than 30 years ago, 3M has been a worldwide leader in developing well being care products and services that address infection control. 3M Wellness Care, 1 of 3M’s six major company segments, is dedicated to improving the practice, delivery and outcome of patient care and is really a leading provider of solutions for medical, oral care, drug delivery and well being details markets.
About Response Biomedical
Response Biomedical develops, manufactures and markets rapid on-site diagnostic tests for use with its RAMP? Platform for clinical and environmental applications. RAMP? represents a brand new paradigm in diagnostics that provides high sensitivity and reliable info in minutes. It’s ideally suited to both point-of-care testing and laboratory use. The RAMP? system consists of a fluorescent reader and single-use disposable test cartridges, and has the possible to be adapted to more than 250 medical and non-medical tests currently performed in laboratories. RAMP? clinical tests are commercially available for the early detection of heart attack and congestive heart failure.
3M and Ioban are trademarks of 3M.
RAMP can be a trademark of Response Biomedical Corporation.
(1) Centers for Disease Control. Role of Laboratory Diagnosis of Influenza. Accessible at: http://www. cdc.gov/flu/professionals/diagnosis/labrole.htm
(2) Centers for Disease Control. Interim Guidance for Influenza Diagnostic Testing During the 2006-07 Influenza Season. Accessible at: http://cdc.gov/flu/professionals/diagnosis/0607testingguide.htm
(three) CDC. Influenza: The Disease. Accessible at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease.htm
(4) CDC. Influenza: The Disease. Obtainable at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease.htm
(5) Falsey A, Murata Y, Wash E. Impact of rapid diagnosis on management of adults hospitalized with influenza. Arch Intern Med. 2007; 167:354-360.
Source: Rebekah Brooks
WeissComm Partners