4 replies to this topic

[PalmGirl]

Conjunctvitis has been primarily a clinical diagnosis and cell cultures and PCR are not routinely done. I have seen many cases this year that I am not sure of and just give the patient antibiotics. I may reconsider. I refer you to information copied from a page forwarded to me on the topix chat site:

A recently FDA approved diagnostic test called the RPS Adeno Detector makes a laboratory confirmation of viral conjunctivitis readily available in the office setting. It works similarly to a rapid strep test for a sore throat or a pregnancy test. It can effectively identify contagious viral conjunctivitis requiring more time away from work, school, or daycare. Unlike bacterial conjunctivitis that becomes relatively noncontagious after 48 hours of appropriate antibiotic therapy, adenoviral conjunctivitis does not improve and continues to shed a significant virus load until the eye is no longer red and tearing. Furthermore, many people develop significant complications from severe adenoviral conjunctivitis such as subepithelial infiltrates, lacrimal drainage problems (chronic tearing), and symblepharon (conjunctival shortening and scarring) formation.

The RPS Adeno Detector provides nurse practioners with a true point of care test for infectious conjunctivitis. The test requires only 10 minutes to obtain a result that can empower us to practice better medicine, foster patient acceptance of supportive treatments, and identify contagious viral conjunctivitis while simultaneously reducing ocular antibiotic resistance. The practice of treating all conjunctivitis with topical antibiotics may not only increase the risk of antibiotic resistance, side effects, allergies, and corneal toxicity, but also may lead to increased cost to the individual and society as a whole.

[NawlinsGirl]

Hi Palmgirl,

Thank you for that great article on Conjunctivitis. I learned something new today..

nawlinsgirls

[PalmGirl]

I Googled the RPS Adeno Detector and found that it is made by a company called Rapid Pathogen Screening, Inc (www.rps-tests.com). I called a company representative today and here is the deal as I understand it.

They are in the process of creating a new CPT procedural code for the test. They anticipate reimbursement in 6-12 months. Until then, they recommend offering patients an option of paying for a test that would provide a more definitive diagnosis and to stress that a positive test is important in determining who really needs antibiotics and who is very contagious and should have more time away from work, school, or daycare.

According to the person I spoke to, given the opportunity to know for sure and potentially protect their family members from getting a more significant viral condition, many patients are opting to pay to have the test done.

The price varies by quantity purchased. If you buy 1-19 tests it is $29 per test versus $480 for a box of 20 ($24 per test). The shelf life is 18 months. He suggested that the health care provider could then charge whatever they wanted to the patient.

I think overall this sounds like a good test that definitely could be useful. It will be much better when reimburseable!! For now, I am thinking of trying a box of 20 since it is obviously a better deal considering they last so long. I see about 10 cases of pink eye a month in the bad months and about 3-4 in the slow months. I live in a fairly affluent area and I am pretty sure some people will want this. I will keep you updated. If anyone has other experiences please let me know.

[Preston747]

I wonder if they would give free samples. I come across this frequently too.