Cepheid GeneXpert
What is a Cepheid GeneXpert Machine?
A Cepheid GeneXpert Machine is used to take a hepatitis C RNA test (for the active infection) and can give a result in 60 minutes. The test is completed by pricking the finger, the blood is placed into a cartridge which is then placed into the machine.
Watch this video explaining how the test is taken using the minivette:
What are the benefits of using a Cepheid GeneXpert Machine?
The machines can be very helpful when testing across a wide geography, for example on an outreach van as part of a wider offer of blood borne-virus and harm reduction interventions. Equally, if a service is testing people who they may not see again for some time this form of testing offers a way to get test results to a person quickly.
Watch this bite size video of Louise Hansford from Hep C U Later discussing how the Cepheid GeneXpert machines have been used very successfully within general practice:
Because test results are available in 60 minutes the machines are a great addition to test and treat events to confirm the active hepatitis C virus after a positive antibody result, or when completing sustained virological response (SVR) tests to check whether treatment has been successful. Some services ensure that treatment assessments can also be provided alongside the test so that an extremely rapid pathway of testing to treatment can be put in place.
Additionally, having the machine available can quickly and effectively help a community drug and alcohol service to reach micro-elimination.
“The introduction of Cepheid machines has made a huge difference, in terms of accuracy and timing. This removes a huge barrier. Lots of people would be put off from having a test if they have poor venous access. Cepheid machines mean we can test using capillary blood rather than venous blood and this has been a huge benefit. It’s reduced the time to treatment significantly and now they can be on their treatment pathway much quicker.”
Alan Howard, Hep C Hants, Peer to Peer Coordinator, Inclusion (part of Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust)
The Cepheid GeneXpert machines can be used in a variety of settings including prisons. Watch this video of Georgia Threadgold explaining how they have been used in health and justice settings and the impact they have had:
What has been the learning from using the machines?
The NHSAPA services which have utilised the Cepheid GeneXpert machines have given a great deal of feedback and shared their learning with us.
Hep C U Later have a number of recommendations when using the machine including:
- Ensuring there is a robust plan in place to ensure testing events using the Cepheid GeneXpert machine are well planned to make best use of the machine
- Ensuring that deep dive data work is completed prior to using the machine to prepare a list of people who require the test
- Ensuring regular review meetings are set up to review its use
- Ensuring a few people in the service have received the training and it does not rely on just one person to complete the test
What other resources are available?
If you are a member of the NHSAPA you may be able to use one of the funded Cepheid GeneXpert Machines Hep C U Later have available. Hep C U Later are on hand to support teams with delivering training on how to use the machine, provide supportive guidance, and even support on testing days when using it. To enquire email: HepC.ULater@mpft.nhs.uk
Hep C U Later have written standard operation procedures (SOPs) which services can use, adapt if they purchase their own machine, or if they plan to use a machine across a region. These SOPs contain key information, top tips and processes.
- Cepheid SOP: Cepheid-SOP-v4.3-1.pdf (hepculater.com)
- Cepheid Implementation and Management SOP: Internal-Cepheid-GeneXpert-Machine-Implementation-and-Management-SOP-06.08.24.pdf (hepculater.com)
Watch this video to understand how we’ve been using Cepheid GeneXpert machines across the country and the impact they have had: