Going to a hospital for care, only to leave sicker than when you arrived, is a grim reality for many patients who contract bacterial infections in healthcare settings. Luckily, we have a powerful tool that can stop these infections in their tracks: whole genome sequencing (WGS).
Paul Rhodes, Ph.D.
CEO and Founder, Next Gen Diagnostics
WGS is cutting-edge technology that allows scientists to analyze the DNA of microbes. By comparing microbial genomic sequences from different patients, hospitals can quickly detect when infections are spreading within their facilities. This means infection control teams — already present in every hospital — can act fast to stop outbreaks before they become widespread.
The impact of this technology cannot be overstated. Right now, hospitals rely on traditional infection control methods that miss up to 80% of transmission events. WGS changes that. It provides real-time data that helps hospitals identify exactly where and how infections are spreading. Instead of relying on guesswork, hospitals can use precise genetic information to intervene effectively.
Return on investment
Every time an infection spreads within a hospital, patients have to stay longer, leading to higher costs for healthcare providers and insurers. WGS could significantly reduce hospital bed days by an estimated 2-3%, which equates to about 5 million fewer hospital days per year. This could result in $20 billion in savings annually for healthcare payers, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). If half of these hospital stays involve working-age individuals, this would mean an estimated 5 million workdays returned to the economy, generating an economic boost worth $3 billion in GDP.
More importantly, WGS can help to reduce human suffering. No patient should fear that a hospital visit will result in an infection that worsens their condition. With better infection tracking, we can cut down on preventable deaths and illnesses caused by hospital-acquired infections.
CMS has taken steps to address these infections, but its current approach is flawed. Hospitals with high infection rates are penalized, relying on outdated scoring methods that force hospitals to scramble to improve their scores, rather than prioritizing patient safety improvements. Instead of penalizing hospitals, we should equip them with the best tools available to detect and prevent infections in real-time. This approach prioritizes patient care over bureaucratic scorekeeping, leading to better health outcomes and cost savings.
Most healthcare innovations come with high costs. WGS is a rare exception — it actually saves money while improving patient care. Sequencing 4 million infections would cost about $400 million each year if reimbursed at $100 per test. Fewer infections and shorter hospital stays would save $20 billion per year, a 50-fold return on investment. It would also mean 5% fewer bed days, allowing the existing hospital network to serve more patients.
An opportunity for change
WGS is a scientific breakthrough and a practical solution to a major healthcare challenge. It offers a way to improve patient safety, reduce costs, and make hospitals more efficient. This is a perfect opportunity for the new administration to embrace a policy that benefits both the healthcare system and the economy.
One challenge to implementing WGS at scale is ensuring that we are supporting and training a robust clinical microbiology workforce. Clinical microbiologists, who often work behind the scenes, are essential in deploying and interpreting these life-saving diagnostics. Their expertise ensures that hospitals can effectively use WGS to track and prevent infections. Without investing in and supporting this workforce, we risk missing out on the full potential of this technology.
Scientific associations like the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) and biotech leaders like Next Gen Diagnostics are committed to leading this transformation by educating policymakers, healthcare leaders, and the public about the power of WGS. ASM has advocated for robust funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advanced Molecular Detection Program, which has brought genomic sequencing technology to the front lines of public health and plays an indispensable role in identifying emerging variants. By implementing automated WGS at scale, and strengthening the clinical microbiology workforce, we can create a healthier, more efficient, and more cost-effective healthcare system for everyone. The time to act is now.
