Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust (DGT) has become the first in the UK and in the region to launch an innovative new pilot to rapidly test for Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) using a ground-breaking lateral flow test (LFT), dramatically reducing diagnostic times and improving patient care.
Currently, testing for C. diff can take anywhere between 2 to 14 days, causing delays in diagnosis, treatment, isolation, and bed management. In response to these challenges, DGT’s Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) team has developed and led a pioneering solution, introducing the CerTest - C.diff LFT, which can deliver results in just 20 minutes.
The pilot, which has secured funding and full approval, is due to launch in mid-July, with kits expected to arrive on time. Once underway, this trial will mark the first UK implementation of a rapid test that can identify both active infection and C. diff carriage at the point of care.
The benefits of the new testing method are far-reaching:
- Reduced waiting time for results
- Quicker isolation and treatment, reducing transmission
- Prevention of complications such as dehydration and gastrointestinal issues
- Identification of both infection and carrier status
- Community access via GPs, reducing the need for hospital visits
Behind the scenes, the IPC team worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life including developing the innovation, influencing the EU-only supplier to acquire a UK supplier base in order to secure NHS Supplies and procurement approval, as well as validating the test against real lab samples, and designing clear, practical usage instructions.
The CerTest C.diff LFT boasts 100% effectiveness and 98% sensitivity, meeting gold-standard benchmarks in diagnostic testing all while remaining cost-effective.
The pilot will run across a range of settings, including community practices in North Kent, Emergency Departments, and inpatient wards. It is already attracting national attention, having been pitched to NHS England at a recent national forum.
Speaking of the achievement, the Trust’s Director of Infection Prevention & Control and Decontamination Lead, Kris Khambaita said:
“As a nurse having seen the devastating impact to patients when they develop C.diff and how undignified it is to endure it, and with our local rates of infection remaining high, I felt a sense of duty and compassion to find a new solution. I wanted to look for something that had not been tried but could bring such a positive change to how we all work within the NHS at present when dealing with these types of patients.
This motivation led me to develop, test and refine our innovation, and I am really proud that we have secured funding for the first UK trial of the CerTest - C.diff LFT from Kent and Medway ICB.
I am honoured to be leading the North Kent Community response to high rates of infection, and to have developed a pathway that will help patients remain at home whilst accessing treatment, as well as having a faster diagnosis.
Having already pitched this idea to NHS England at national forum, they are very interested in the outcome of the pilot, I am excited to see the impact for our local people and lead next steps from there in.”
Huge well done to Kris and our IPC team. We are excited to see the results of the pilot!