TABLE 2.

Cost associated with routine workup of stool specimens

Step or item	Routine bacterial culture (per specimen)			STEC-specific culture/EIA (per specimen)
	Time (min:s)	Labora cost ($)	Reagent cost ($)	Time (min:s)	Labor cost ($)	Reagent cost ($)
Preanalytical steps (ordering test and labeling and inoculation of media)	6:00	3.19		2:00	1.07
Media
5% sheep blood			0.21
MacConkey			0.21
XLD			0.22
Hektoen enteric			0.24
CIN			0.36
Campy agar			0.29
Sorbitol MacConkey						0.32
MacConkey broth						0.74
Reagent
AnaeroPackb			0.10
API20Ec			0.64
Stx EIA						11.12
EIA controlsd						1.85
Culture workup
Plate readinge	9:00	4.80		1:00	0.53
Additional workupf	3:27	1.76
EIA specimen processingg				1:30	0.79
EIA plate processingh				2:00	1.07
Entry of results into LIS	0:45	0.40		0:45	0.40
Subtotal	19:12	10.15	2.27	7:15	3.86	14.03
Total cost/specimen		12.42			17.89

^aLabor calculated at an average of $32.00/h, inclusive of salary and benefits.

^bFor isolation of Campylobacter, cost/specimen assumes 1 pack/12 plates.

^cCost/specimen is based on $2.76/test and 23% of specimens requiring workup of ≥1 potential pathogen.

^dBased on inclusion of a positive and negative control with each batch, cost/specimen assumes 12 specimens/batch.

^eBased on retrieval and examination of plates at 24, 48, and 72 h.

^fTime/specimen based on 15 min for completion of Gram stain and setup of API20E and 23% of specimens requiring workup of ≥1 potential pathogen.

^gIncludes all steps required for each specimen (e.g., labeling, addition of sample diluent, addition of sample, and vortexing).

^hIncludes all steps performed as batch (e.g., 5 wash/reagent addition steps and reading). Time/specimen assumes 12 specimens per batch.