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Reuse of negative CLOtest kits in children
Y Elitsur1, C Neace, L Heitlinger
1Department of Pediatrics, Marshall University School of Medicine, Huntington, West Virginia 25701-3655, USA.
Background:
The rapid urease test, CLOtest, is used frequently in endoscopy suites. In the developed world, a negative CLOtest result is extremely common. The question of whether reuse of previously negative CLOtest kits is appropriate in children and the cost saving of such a practice were investigated.
Methods:
Children who underwent diagnostic endoscopic procedures were prospectively recruited to the study. In each procedure gastric biopsy specimens were obtained for 2 rapid urease tests, one a new kit and the other a used negative kit obtained from previous procedures. In addition gastric specimens were also obtained for routine histologic examination.
Results:
In 121 (99.2%) patients a complete concordance between new and used CLOtests was observed. Chi-square analyses showed a significant association between CLOtest results and each of the following factors: gastritis, the presence of Helicobacter pylori organisms, and H pylori-associated gastritis. Assuming an average rate of 15% positive CLOtest results in our pediatric population, the annual savings at the rural hospital was $265 and at the urban children's hospital, $1958.
Conclusion:
Reuse of a negative CLOtest is reliable and may reduce costs, especially in facilities with a high volume of endoscopic procedures.
