Rhode Island Hospital announces that it is the first hospital in North America to install the innovative QIAcuityDx machine. This cutting-edge, revolutionary technology will leverage RNA sequencing to transform clinical testing, offering highly precise quantitation of pathogen RNA targets. While marketed by Qiagen, the QIAcuityDx is set to enhance monitoring of cancer progression and streamline less invasive liquid biopsies, however this machine will be used initially to better diagnose pathogens causing sepsis.
In a groundbreaking application, Rhode Island Hospital will be the first to utilize the QIAcuitySx technology to test new technologies to diagnose sepsis—a critical condition that accounts for 20% of deaths worldwide. This initiative aims to improve diagnosis and treatment for patients suffering from sepsis, a life-threatening response to infection that can lead to tissue damage and organ failure.
The research will employ deep RNA sequencing of whole blood samples from sepsis patients to create targets for use on the QIAcuity Dx, enabling the identification of the pathogens responsible for the disease. This knowledge will facilitate better resource allocation, predict patient outcomes, and uncover novel therapeutic targets.
“I commend Brown University and Dr. Monaghan’s team for their groundbreaking research to better detect and treat sepsis and save lives. And I appreciate NIH for continuing to fund this critical work,” said Senator Reed, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “Sepsis is a leading cause of death in hospitals, and it costs our health care system billions of dollars annually. Harnessing the promise of RNA, this new, advanced technology could help doctors make more accurate diagnoses and improve patient outcomes by reducing the number of needle pricks, costly prescriptions, and lengthy hospital stays, and help them recover faster from a potentially deadly infection.”
“Diagnosing and treating sepsis is a race against the clock. I applaud Rhode Island Hospital for partnering with the National Institutes of Health to help pioneer a faster, lifesaving approach to diagnosing sepsis, once again putting the Ocean State at the center of medical innovation,” said Senator Whitehouse.
“This federal funding will support advanced scientific research right here in Rhode Island that has the potential to save countless lives. Along with my colleagues in the Delegation, I am committed to supporting Rhode Island’s emerging leadership position in the life sciences,” said Rep. Seth Magaziner.
“When an infection turns septic, time is of the essence. Thanks to the National Institutes of Health, this federal grant will bring cutting-edge technology to Brown University Health and our state’s only Level 1 Trauma Center,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “I am glad we will continue to build on Rhode Island’s leadership in research and scientific breakthroughs to help treat patients quicker and save lives.”
The installation of the QIAcuityDx at Rhode Island Hospital this week represents a significant milestone in the hospital's commitment to leveraging innovative technologies for improved patient care and outcomes.
"We are excited to be at the forefront of this important research," said Sean Monaghan, MD, trauma surgeon at Rhode Island Hospital. "The QIAcuityDx will allow us to apply cutting-edge technology in the fight against sepsis, improving outcomes for our patients and paving the way for future advancements in precision medicine."