Arezzo, Italy – A rapid blood test shows promise in the early detection of sepsis, a life-threatening condition arising from the body’s overwhelming response to infection. Early identification of sepsis is critical, as timely intervention significantly improves patient outcomes.
New Blood Test Shows High Accuracy in Sepsis Detection
Researchers at the San Donato Hospital in Arezzo, Italy, have identified a parameter already available in routine blood tests that could help emergency room physicians quickly recognize severe infections. The study, published in the international scientific journal Clinica Chimica Acta, evaluated the effectiveness of Monocyte Distribution Width (MDW) – a value automatically generated from a standard blood count within approximately five minutes of sample arrival in the lab.
The research involved over 600 patients who presented to the San Donato emergency department with suspected infection. MDW demonstrated a high degree of accuracy – 93.6% – in identifying severe infections, surpassing the performance of commonly used clinical tests like Procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP). This finding suggests MDW could offer a faster and more reliable method for assessing the severity of infection.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration Drives Innovation
The study highlights the importance of collaboration between different medical specialties. The project was a joint effort involving the hospital’s Laboratory Medicine and Microbiology, Emergency-Urgency, Infectious Diseases, Anesthesia and Intensive Care departments. This integrated approach, combining diverse expertise, aimed to improve patient care pathways from the initial stages of hospital access.
This collaborative research builds on previous work conducted at the hospital, including studies during the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing monitoring of patients with severe infections and sepsis. The team’s commitment to integrated research is intended to improve patient care and resource allocation.
Benefits of Rapid, Accessible Testing
MDW offers several practical advantages. It doesn’t require additional testing, incurs no extra costs, and can be available within the first hour of a patient’s arrival in the emergency department. This speed allows healthcare professionals to quickly assess the clinical picture and intervene promptly when necessary. The study underscores the commitment of Asl Toscana sud est to promoting innovation, interdepartmental integration, and continuous improvement in healthcare quality.
The new procedure, based on the study’s findings, has been implemented on a trial basis at the San Donato Hospital in Arezzo since June 2024. The systematic use of the MDW parameter is now part of the evaluation process for patients with suspected infection in the emergency department. The experience gained during these months is laying the groundwork for a potential expansion of the diagnostic and organizational model throughout the entire Azienda, with the goal of standardizing care pathways and further strengthening the early detection of sepsis across the region.
