IBDoc®: Early Value in a District General Hospital Inflammatory Bowel Disease Service

At the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation, 13^th Congress in Vienna in February 2018 Avery and Wilson of Dorset County Hospital Foundation Trust, Gastroenterology, Dorchester, UK presented the poster: IBDoc® Self-care/Point of care Calprotectin Test: Early Value in a District General Hospital Inflammatory Bowel Disease Service.

This describes a study using the BÜHLMANN IBDoc® calprotectin test in comparison to a send away service for monitoring IBD patients.  IBDoc was used either as a point-of-care test with the sample being collected by the patient and the test carried out by the IBD nurses in clinic or as a complete self-test by patients at home.

The results show that even during this small evaluation at least one hospital admission was avoided, as a fast-track of treatment to Infliximab occurred. Following on from this evaluation, approval from the local Medical Devices Board was gained and IBDoc has been introduced for routine calprotectin testing. It is being rolled out to the entire cohort of 1300 patients, both as a self-test if the patient is appropriate or as a Point-of-care test.

The BÜHLMANN IBDoc® adds value to patient care; it enhances the patient’s journey allowing quick treatment decisions to be made saving at least one hospital admission during this small trial of the product. Patients reported that they felt their care was enhanced because of it. Using this test with remote monitoring software may save the need for face to face follow up.to add value to the care of IBD patients. ; it enhances the patient’s journey allowing quick treatment decisions to be made saving at least one hospital admission during this small trial of the product. Patients reported that they felt their care was enhanced because of it. Using this test with remote monitoring software may save the need for face to face follow up.