Aims Faecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) via colonoscopy is approved for use in patients
with recurrent C. Difficile infection (rCDI). Rigorous donor screening is required to safeguard recipients from
transmission of pathogens. Due to changes in EU legislation use of imported faecal
matter for FMT was no longer feasible. To address local clinical FMT need, a QI project
was undertaken to set up an FMT donor screening service and stool bank in a tertiary
referral centre.
Methods To ensure quality and safety for both recipients and donors, a multidisciplinary
team formulated local donor screening consensus guidelines, incorporating published
guidelines in the literature. Potential donors undergo extensive faecal and blood
testing to rule out presence of pathogens and infectious disease, including multi-drug
resistant organisms. Stool delivery and processing steps are completed on the hospital
campus on a compassionate basis by APC Microbiome Ireland and are stored in a stool
bank on the hospital campus. Patients undergo transplant on site at the time of colonoscopy
with close clinical follow up which encourages monitoring of treatment outcomes and
long term side effects and safety of treatment.
Results To date 28 FMTs have been performed at our institution at the time of colonoscopy.
We have successfully set up and are maintaining an endoscopic FMT service under the
hospital governance framework to address on-going local clinical need. There have
been no adverse events since commencing the project.
Conclusions The aim of the FMT service is to provide high-quality, appropriately screened faecal
samples and FMT donations for treating patients with rCDI at colonoscopy. This project
shows that establishing a high-quality, safe clinical service with adequate governance
and safeguards is achievable at an individual hospital level.