Project funding will enable the purchase of a Buhlmann Quantum Blue 3rd Generation bench side reader. This ensures clinicians can provide point-of-care faecal calprotectin testing in existing weekly RBWH IBD flare clinics.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic, relapsing condition marked by unpredictable flares of gastrointestinal inflammation, leading to debilitating symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, rectal bleeding, weight loss, and fatigue. More than 179,000 Australians live with IBD, most of working age. 

Calprotectin is a protein found in our white blood cells, but is released during inflammation, such as IBD flare-ups. Faecal calprotectin is a standard lab test for diagnosis and monitring of IBD, however pathology laboratory turn-around time for results is an average of 5-7 days.

Having an in-clinic benchside test allows patients to receive real-time medical information about their gut health, preventing prolonged suffering, anxiety and delayed diagnosis.

Delayed diagnosis and treatment of IBD flare-ups can result in emergency admission. The project team anticipates it can reduce the number of Emergency Department visits in patients with IBD by up to 70%.

By receiving point-of-care information and results, the team also expects patients will have improved satisfaction with their clinical care, feel valued and feel more informed in their treatment journey.