Catching Strep: Cost-Comparison of Peri-Natal Screening Assays for Group B Streptococcus

Purpose: To determine how the implementation of a rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) –based assay for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) affects the treatment and management of women presenting to the hospital, in labor with an unknown GBS culture status. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of women presenting in labor with an unknown GBS culture status to a large university –based hospital. We compared two groups of women: 1. Women who presented prior to the implementation of the Rapid PCR culture who were cultured using traditional methods; 2. Women who presented after the Rapid PCR GBS culture was implemented as a standard of care. We analyzed variables such as length of hospital stay, administration of prophylactic antibiotics against GBS, GBS-associated laboratory testing, and patient demographics. Results: The implementation of the Rapid PCR GBS culture was associated with a higher median cost of hospital stay compared to the traditional GBS culture method, while resulting in less extended hospital stays due to concerns for neonatal GBS infections. Conclusion: The implementation of Rapid PCR GBS cultures for women presenting i