Fast Sepsis Tests Save Lives and Billions

Fast identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (fast ID/AST) for sepsis could significantly reduce the disease burden in the US, potentially preventing around 84,400 cases and 36,200 deaths annually. Current diagnostic processes for sepsis often span several days, a critical delay given the rapid deterioration of patients. This delay forces healthcare professionals to administer broad-spectrum antibiotics without precise pathogen information, increasing risks.

The widespread adoption of fast ID/AST could lead to substantial cost savings, estimated at approximately $3400 per patient in the US, totaling an annual healthcare system saving of about $3 billion. These savings are attributed to shorter hospitalizations and decreased intensive care unit (ICU) stays, as well as fewer complications requiring extensive management.

Despite these benefits, significant barriers to implementation persist. These include health technology assessment frameworks that overlook downstream value, and financial structures where diagnostic costs are absorbed by labs while savings benefit other departments. Aligning diagnostic turnaround times with antibiotic decision-making and addressing lab operational hours are also crucial for maximizing the impact of fast testing.