Strep B Test

What is a Strep B Test?

A , also known as a Group B Streptococcus (GBS) test, is a medical test that healthcare practitioners conduct to detect the presence of Group B Streptococcus bacteria in pregnant individuals. And although GBS is a type of bacteria that’s commonly found in the digestive or urinary tracts and is generally harmless in adults, it poses a serious, to the point of fatal, threat if transmitted to a newborn during childbirth.

The main purpose of the Strep B test, as mentioned above, is to determine whether a pregnant person carries the GBS bacteria or not to assess if or when to administer antibiotics to the pregnant individual before they give birth. This proactive measure reduces the risk of delivering a baby who has or might develop a GBS infection.

The GBS test’s procedure is relatively simple. It involves swabbing samples from the vagina and rectum during pregnancy. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, it’s recommended that all pregnant women undergo this test and have their trusted referring physician perform it during their 36th or 37th week of pregnancy.

If the patient tests positive, the standard protocol involves antibiotic administration via an intravenous (IV) line during labor at least four hours before delivery to maximize the effectiveness in preventing infection in the newborn.

How does it work?

Step One. Obtain a Copy of the Template

In order to access and download the template to secure and digital and printable copy of the Strep B test, do either of the following steps below:

• Click the “Use Template” or “Download Template” button
• Search for “Strep B Test” on Carepatron’s template library’s search bar on the website or app

Step Two. Generate a Request

During your appointment with your pregnant patient, especially during their 37th or 38th week of pregnancy, you may request the Strep B test. Feel free to create a request form by filling out the essential details in the designed request form section of the template.

Step Three. Present the Form

Depending on the current condition of your patient, either they, you, or a fellow practitioner caring for the same patient can bring the request form to the practitioner in charge who’s qualified to collect a sample from the patient. The document will serve as the proof that you requested for the test.

Step Four. Make a Record

As soon as you have your results, you may proceed with analysis and interpretation. So you know whether you will administer antibiotics during the right time, it’s encouraged that you write down your observations and findings in the designed document section of the template.

Step Five. Safeguard Patient Files

Once you’ve used the request form and/or document section of the template, remember to securely store it in places that are secure, easily accessible, and retrievable when needed. Digital copies are recommended to be stored in Carepatron, which is a HIPAA-compliant, free patient records software that can safeguard all medical records relevant to your patient.

When Would you use this Test?

The timing to request a Group B Streptococcus (GBS) or Strep B test is a crucial consideration during pregnancy since it’s typically recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists during the 36th or 37th week of pregnancy. It’s essential to ensure that the healthcare practitioner and the patient have the most up-to-date information about the pregnant individual’s GBS status when they go into labor. Having the results, knowing if the pregnant person carries the Group B Streptococcus bacteria, and ideally, the planned treatment or medical intervention is crucial to lessen the risk of the newborn getting sick.

A typical type of treatment for GBS is antibiotics through an IV during labor, at least four hours before delivery. However, if the patient has a history of early labor, expecting twins or more, the referring practitioner and their patient must consider this when scheduling their GBS test. Another option is to aim to undergo the test during the last five weeks instead of four, which is around the 35th to 37th week of pregnancy. 

In some instances wherein the infant shows signs of Group B Streptococcus infection, such as high fever, difficulty feeding, lack of energy, hard to wake up, and trouble breathing, you may want to have them undergo a Strep B test to confirm the diagnosis.

What do the Results Mean?

Interpretation of the results of the Group B Streptococcus (GBS) to write down on your free Strep B test template is a pretty straightforward process since the results can immediately provide essential information to help a patient manage their pregnancy and their newborn’s health. If you need interpretations for your patient’s results, keep reading below.

Positive Result

If your patient has a positive GBS test result, it indicates the presence of Group B Streptococcus when the samples were taken. Once the pregnant individual receives a positive result, it’s crucial that they be offered antibiotics via intravenous as soon as labor begins. The aforementioned intermediate intervention is needed to reduce the risk of GBS infection in the newborn, not necessarily the pregnant person, because GBS is common and doesn’t generally pose a health risk or symptoms. 

Negative Result

If your patient has a negative test result, it signifies that Group B Streptococcus wasn’t detected in the obtained samples. Despite having this result, it’s essential to understand and keep in mind that the GBS carriage status may change. It’s not guaranteed that one will remain GBS-free at the delivery time. Hence the importance of monitoring and follow-up consultations with the referring physician.