REUTILIZING NEGATIVE RAPID UREASE TESTS IN CHILDREN

Abstract

9 CLOtests are routinely used in upper endoscopic procedures in children to detect the presence of H. pylori infection. Regardless of the test result, the CLOtest is discarded after one use. Aim: To investigate the accuracy of re-use of negative CLOtest kits with biopsies obtained from children and calculate the potential annual cost saving at a rural and an urban hospital. Methods: Children who undergo the first diagnostic upper endoscopy procedure were prospectively recruited into the study. Tissue samples were sent for routine histological examination and for each CLOtest; one new CLOtest, and the other was a negative re-used CLOtest. The time period between the first and second use of the negative CLOtest was less than 2 weeks. The average annual saving in rural and urban hospital was calculated as the # of negative kits (85%) × $3 × # procedure/year. Results: A total of 61 children were recruited between Sept. 97 & Feb. 98. The mean age was 10.2 ± 4.3 years, and Male/Female ratio was 1.2:1.0. Nine children were positive by CLOtest and 52 were negative. The concordance between new and re-used CLOtests was 98%. The average annual number of upper endoscopic procedures was 183±19 and 767±102 in rural and urban hospitals, resulting in an average cost saving of $265 at the rural hospital and $1958 at the urban Children's Hospital. Conclusion: Re-used negative CLOtest during endoscopy procedure is appropriate, and may significantly reduce supply costs in places with high volumes of endoscopic procedures.