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Background: Xpert MTB/XDR (Xpert-XDR) testing can significantly shorten time to initiating appropriate drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) treatment, but its introduction may impact laboratory workflow, especially in laboratories not currently performing drug susceptibility testing. This study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of implementing the Xpert-XDR for rapid triage and selection of all-oral regimens for DR-TB.
Method: This was a multi-country, multi-site qualitative study conducted between July and November 2023, as part of the larger TriAD (Triage test for All oral DR TB drugs) study implemented in South Africa, Ethiopia, and Nigeria. We conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with clinicians, nurses and laboratory staff at each study site until thematic saturation was achieved. Additionally, we interviewed policy makers (n = 9) and people with TB (PWTB) (n = 11), to provide additional insight on the implementation of this new diagnostic assay.
Results: Healthcare workers (n = 61) found the new workflow feasible and acceptable. It was the increased speed in which PWTB would receive a correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment that provided the biggest benefit to moving to Xpert-XDR for healthcare workers and PWTB. Laboratory staff mentioned that Xpert-XDR had expedited and simplified the laboratory workflows. Role-appropriate and ongoing training is a key factor in effective implementation as described by policy makers and healthcare workers alike. Barriers impacting the ability to perform Xpert-XDR included unstable power supply, internet, and temperature control. Additionally, the Xpert MTB/Rif Ultra test has higher sensitivity for the detection of TB than the Xpert-XDR test, leading to discordant test results.
Conclusion: This study showed that implementation of Xpert-XDR in health facilities is both feasible and acceptable by all types of healthcare workers. Some barriers with Xpert-XDR are not exclusive to this particular diagnostic tool but are important to address when policy makers are deciding which tools to implement.
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12186877 | PMC |
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0326342 | PLOS |
JAMA Netw Open
September 2025
Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City.
Importance: Advances in diagnostics have enabled the detection of more gastrointestinal pathogens, but misuse of diagnostics can lead to inappropriate antibiotic use and excess financial burdens. Ensuring appropriate use of diagnostics is crucial for optimizing patient care and promoting stewardship of health care resources.
Objective: To elicit parents' and clinicians' perspectives on expectations for care of pediatric diarrhea with a focus on diagnostic testing and to evaluate the potential for an electronic clinical decision support tool (ECDST) to improve appropriate use of diagnostics.
JAMA Netw Open
September 2025
Centre de recherche intégrée pour un système apprenant en santé et services sociaux, Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de Chaudière-Appalaches, Lévis, Québec, Canada.
Importance: Caregivers of community-dwelling older adults play a protective role in emergency department (ED) care transitions. When the demands of caregiving result in caregiver burden, ED returns can ensue.
Objective: To develop models describing whether caregiver burden is associated with ED revisits and hospital admissions up to 30 days after discharge from an initial ED visit.
Hernia
September 2025
Center for Perioperative Optimization, Department of Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Borgmester Ib Juuls Vej 1, Herlev, DK-2730, Denmark.
Purpose: Primary ventral hernia repair is a common elective procedure; however, mesh placement practices vary widely, and there is limited evidence to guide optimal placement. This international study examined surgeons' preferences and considerations regarding mesh placement in elective primary ventral hernia repair.
Methods: We conducted an international cross-sectional survey targeting surgeons experienced in primary ventral hernia repair.
Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg
September 2025
French Military Medical Service Academy - École du Val-de-Grâce, Paris, France.
Background: Delivering intensive care in conflict zones and other resource-limited settings presents unique clinical, logistical, and ethical challenges. These contexts, characterized by disrupted infrastructure, limited personnel, and prolonged field care, require adapted strategies to ensure critical care delivery under resource-limited settings.
Objective: This scoping review aims to identify and characterize medical innovations developed or implemented in recent conflicts that may be relevant and transposable to intensive care units operating in other resource-limited settings.
Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg
September 2025
Emergency Medical Services of Karlovy Vary Region, Zavodni 390/98C, Karlovy Vary, 36006, Czech Republic.
Background And Importance: In the Czech Republic, paramedics are required to consult a physician before administering intravenous opioids, which may delay effective prehospital pain management. As paramedic competencies expand in Europe, it is important to evaluate the safety and efficacy of independent opioid administration in prehospital emergency care settings.
Objectives: To assess the safety and effectiveness of intravenous sufentanil administered independently by trained paramedics compared to administration following remote physician consultation in adult trauma patients.