PQRS

PQRS is an infectious-disease reporting solution developed by Strand Life Sciences that processes qPCR and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) input files and generates PDF reports containing pathogen profiles, antibiotic resistance gene findings, and drug recommendations. It is designed for clinical laboratories and diagnostic teams that require fast, structured, and customizable reporting for infectious disease panels.

The platform can be set up in as little as one week, integrates with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) via a RESTful API, and is capable of generating 150–200 or more reports per month with the ability to scale as volumes increase. Report turnaround time is approximately two minutes from input to PDF output.

Workflow

1. The process begins by inputting qPCR output files or antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) output files. The platform can be customized to accept other input data types as needed.
2. Quality control is performed based on positive and negative controls present in the input file.
3. A report is compiled and generated using a configurable template.
4. The completed report is delivered as a PDF, ready for review by a senior scientist.
5. The entire process is completed within two minutes.

Report Contents and Customization

• Reports can include a client logo and laboratory or clinician details.
• Both initial and final test reports can be provided based on requirements.
• A summary section highlights detected pathogens and antibiotic-resistant genes identified.
• Cycle threshold (Ct) values indicating pathogen abundance are included, along with explanations to aid interpretation.
• Medication choices are listed based on the specific pathogens detected in the sample, with efficacy of treatment options provided for each detected pathogen.
• All pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes tested by PCR are listed in the report.
• A description of the tests carried out, details of organisms and antibiotic-resistant genes, and panel-specific limitations can be included.
• Disclaimers, warnings, and any additional content can be added on request.

Key Reporting Benefits

• Clinician-approved format: Report structure incorporates client-specific requirements developed through interaction with the clinician team.
• Combined qPCR and AST reporting: The final report captures qPCR-identified pathogens, antibiotic resistance genes, and antibiotic susceptibility test results in a single document.
• Broad medication options: Multiple antibiotic recommendations are presented, allowing clinicians to make patient-tailored treatment decisions.

Customization Options

• Report templates can be designed to include client logos, laboratory signatures, disclaimers, and methods sections.
• The curated reference knowledge base can be modified to align with the client's specific panel manifest and updated treatment guidelines.
• AST reporting can be incorporated so that, when susceptibility profiles are present in the input file, the platform generates reports with optimized medication choices.
• Panel-specific updates ensure all pathogens and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in the client's panel are covered and can be regularly updated.
• Audit logs can be added to track report creation times and sign-off completion.
• A provision for Subject Matter Expert sign-off can be incorporated in addition to standard approvals.
• Continued support is provided for the client's team, including addressing issues and additional feature requests.

Reference Databases

• PQRS includes a curated infectious-disease knowledge base that serves as the foundation for report compilation.
• The knowledge base was built by Strand's curation scientists and reviewers using information gathered from publicly available reference databases for infectious disease reporting.
• The knowledge base can be customized according to client preferences and panel requirements.

Additional Input and Output Options

• Additional input file types, such as antibiotic susceptibility testing files, can be accepted depending on the data to be analyzed.
• Additional output content, including demographic breakdowns and dosage recommendations, can be incorporated into reports.

PQRS is compliant with HIPAA guidelines for patient data confidentiality, and data received through its API is HL7 compliant. The platform supports integration into existing LIMS environments via RESTful API, and deployment and setup options, including cloud and on-premises configurations, are available based on client requirements.