From the Research
IntelliSep is a diagnostic test that helps identify patients with sepsis by analyzing the biophysical properties of white blood cells and providing a score between 0 and 10 to categorize patients into different risk groups. This test is crucial in quickly determining which patients need immediate intervention for sepsis, allowing healthcare providers to make informed decisions about antibiotic therapy, fluid resuscitation, and other interventions needed for sepsis management 1, 2. The test works by measuring the deformability cytometry of biophysical leukocyte properties, producing an IntelliSep Index (ISI) that ranges from 0.1 (lowest risk) to 10 (highest risk) 1.
Key Features of IntelliSep
- Provides results in about 10 minutes, significantly faster than traditional sepsis detection methods 2
- Helps clinicians make more informed decisions about sepsis management, including antibiotic therapy and fluid resuscitation 1, 2
- Can be used to risk-stratify patients with signs or suspicion of infection in the emergency department 3
- Has been shown to be effective in identifying patients at high risk for sepsis, with a sensitivity of over 92% and a specificity of over 83% 2
Clinical Utility of IntelliSep
The clinical utility of IntelliSep has been evaluated in several studies, including a pooled analysis of five adult cohorts enrolled at seven geographically diverse U.S. sites 2. This study found that the test achieved similar or better performance compared to other indicators in identifying patients at high risk for sepsis, and significantly superior performance in identifying those at low risk. Another study found that the IntelliSep Index was a promising tool for the rapid diagnosis and risk stratification of sepsis in patients presenting to the emergency department with signs or suspicion of infection 3.
Comparison with Other Diagnostic Tests
IntelliSep has been compared to other diagnostic tests, including procalcitonin, and has been found to be both less costly and more effective in preventing mortality 4. A cost-consequence analysis found that the IntelliSep strategy had an expected cost per patient of $3,849 and an expected survival rate of 95.08%, whereas the procalcitonin strategy had an expected cost of $4,656 per patient and an expected survival of 94.98% 4.
Recommendation
Based on the most recent and highest quality evidence, IntelliSep is a valuable diagnostic tool for identifying patients with sepsis and guiding sepsis management. Its ability to provide rapid results and risk-stratify patients makes it a useful addition to the diagnostic arsenal in the emergency department 1, 2.