What's Happening?
Next Gen Diagnostics (NGD) announced the spin-off of its Infection Prevention division into an independent company, NGD Infection Prevention, effective January 1. This new entity will focus on implementing real-time genomic transmission detection across
U.S. hospitals. The decision comes as sequencing of infections becomes a practical method for detecting and preventing transmission in healthcare settings. NGD Infection Prevention will offer a fully automated whole-genome sequencing platform and bioinformatics pipeline, enabling hospitals to detect and prevent transmission in real time. The NGD200 system processes bacterial samples with minimal hands-on time, while NGD EpiAssist automates bioinformatics and root cause determination, delivering actionable reports overnight.
Why It's Important?
The spin-off of NGD Infection Prevention represents a significant advancement in hospital infection control, potentially reducing transmission rates and associated costs. By providing real-time genomic transmission detection, hospitals can intervene more effectively, improving patient outcomes and reducing the average length of stay. This development aligns with the growing recognition of the importance of genomic sequencing in healthcare, offering a practical solution to a longstanding challenge. As the technology becomes more widely adopted, it could lead to regulatory changes incentivizing its use, further driving improvements in public health and hospital efficiency.
