HKSH Introduces Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight (MALDI-TOF) Biotyper Bacterial Identification Speed Doubled with 90% Accuracy

(13 September, 2012 – Hong Kong) Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital (HKSH) is the first private hospital in Hong Kong to introduce Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight (MALDI-TOF) Mass Spectrometer for clinical service. With the innovative methodology of analyzing protein components of microorganisms and comparing them to reference patterns in a database, MALDI-TOF reduces the time needed for bacterial identification by over a half, allowing doctors to pinpoint the cause of illness and provide pertinent treatment at the earliest opportunity and increase patient survival. This state-of-the-art technology provides greater efficiency and accuracy than conventional bacterial identification processes, thereby facilitating earlier and more precise treatment plans. Conventionally, bacterial identification takes a minimum of 2 days from culture of bacteria to testing. Now with MALDI-TOF, the testing takes less than 1 hour after 1-day culture of bacteria.