GENomics to OpTimise Infecion PrEvention (GENOTIPE)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Applying genomics to optimise infection prevention and control in healthcare: a pragmatic feasibility study.
IRAS ID
320848
Contact name
James Price
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) remain a global problem. Conservative estimates suggest 22,000 deaths and 5.6 million bed days in NHS hospitals are caused by HCAIs annually. An incomplete understanding of how organisms are transmitted in healthcare settings may explain why current infection prevention and control (IPC) fail to prevent HCAIs. In turn, the current methods we have to track infections are imperfect.
Traditional methods for investigating outbreaks are resource-intensive and often provide inadequate level of detail to distinguish similar organisms. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has emerged as a promising tool to improve our understanding of pathogen transmission. WGS provides detailed information about organisms, their relationship with healthcare outbreaks and reveals hidden transmission events. The use of WGS in research settings has successfully controlled outbreaks. However, translational studies are needed to determine if WGS can optimize IPC interventions. By integrating WGS data with clinical information, it may be possible to enhance infection control measures and efficiently allocate resources to prevent and manage HCAIs. Previously, the turnaround time and cost of WGS were barriers to implementing it in healthcare settings. However, recent advancements have significantly reduced both, making real-time use of WGS feasible.
This project aims to take advantage of these improvements to assess the true value of WGS in informing and optimizing IPC practices in healthcare settings. The overarching aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of whether we can apply of WGS and enhanced sampling to optimise infection prevention and control practices in healthcare outbreaks. We will do this by evaluating the feasibility of patient recruitment and determining the ability to generate WGS reports in a clinically relevant time frame to support outbreak investigations. We will undertake this feasibility study to assess the practicability of undertaking an interventional clinical trial.
REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/SC/0370
Date of REC Opinion
16 Oct 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion