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Concurrent Education Session - 60 minutes

Implementation Science and Research

PCR versus C&S Showdown: The Dilemma When Applying Mcgeer Criteria

Tuesday, June 17, 2025
3:45 PM - 4:45 PM PT
Location: North Room 226
CE: 1
AEU Credits: 1
CME Credits: 0
CNE Credits: 0
HSPA Credits: 1
IPCH Credits: 1
IPU Credits: 1
Session Description: Pennsylvania has 674 long-term care facilities (LTC) with many of these facilities experiencing frequent turnover of Infection Preventionists (IPs). The Patient Safety Authority Infection Prevention Advisors work closely with Pennsylvania LTC IPs as mentors and expert resources, offering in-person orientation to all new IPs . During our conversations with the IPs, there is significant amount of confusion on how to interpret polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, as many facilities are using PCR testing over culture & sensitivity (C&S) testing. One of the concerns is how antibiotic therapy is impacted when PCR replaces C&S testing and if the two results are comparable. A complete understanding of PCR and C&S interpretation is imperative to antimicrobial stewardship. This presentation will discuss the information needed to apply revised McGeer criteria to identify an infection, address concerns around treatment of colonization, antibiotic misuse, expression of resistance genes and the differences in how PCR and C&S results can be used at both patient and facility levels.

Learning Objectives:

  • Upon completion, participants will be able to analyze PCR and culture and sensitivity results.
  • Upon completion, participants will be able to discuss the application of constitutional criteria and the conditions that must be met when applying criteria to identify an infection.
  • Upon completion, participants will be able to explain the differences between PCR and culture and sensitivity results and how they can be applied clinically.