Personalized Treatment: It helps in tailoring
antibiotic therapy to the individual needs of the patient by determining the most effective antibiotic and its appropriate dosage.
Infection Control: Accurate susceptibility testing assists in controlling the spread of resistant strains in healthcare settings.
Improved Patient Outcomes: By selecting the right antibiotic, healthcare providers can enhance treatment efficacy and reduce hospital stays.
Preparation of a bacterial
suspension equivalent to a 0.5 McFarland standard.
Inoculation of a
Mueller-Hinton agar plate with the bacterial suspension.
Placement of an E Test strip, impregnated with a gradient of the antibiotic, on the agar surface.
Incubation of the plate for 18-24 hours at 35-37°C.
Reading the results by observing the
elliptical zone of inhibition around the strip, which intersects at the MIC value.
Ease of Use: It is straightforward and can be performed in most clinical laboratories.
Flexibility: It can be used for a wide range of
antimicrobial agents and organisms.
Accuracy: Provides precise MIC values, which are crucial for effective
antibiotic stewardship.
Versatility: Can be used for fastidious organisms that are challenging to test with other methods.
Cost: The strips can be expensive compared to other susceptibility testing methods.
Technical Skill: Requires trained personnel to interpret the results accurately.
Environmental Factors: Results can be influenced by incubation conditions and agar quality.
Disk Diffusion Method (Kirby-Bauer Test): A qualitative method that uses antibiotic-impregnated disks.
Broth Microdilution: A quantitative method that determines MIC values using liquid media.
Automated Systems: Such as the VITEK or BD Phoenix systems, which offer rapid and reliable results.
Conclusion
The E Test is a valuable tool in nursing, providing essential information for the effective management of infectious diseases. While there are challenges and costs associated with its use, the benefits of precise, individualized antibiotic treatment can significantly enhance patient care and outcomes. Understanding its application, advantages, and limitations allows nurses to make informed decisions in their clinical practice.
