LUCKNOW, Oct. 16 -- The King George's Medical University (KGMU) has introduced advanced molecular testing techniques to identify infection-causing bacteria and assess their response to antibiotics within seven to eight hours, helping doctors select appropriate treatment faster, particularly for critically ill patients with sepsis. KGMU vice-chancellor Prof Soniya Nityanand and head of the department of critical care medicine Dr Avinash Agarwal shared the details in a press conference at Brown Hall on Thursday, following the department's recognition as a Centre of Excellence for precision medicine in acute care. Nityanand said precision medicine aims to tailor treatment according to a patient's genetic makeup, the nature of the disease and response to medication. Unlike conventional approaches, which often prescribe similar medicines to patients with the same condition, precision medicine helps identify treatments that are more likely to be effective and safe for individual patients. Its applications also extend to cancer and chronic diseases. Agarwal said timely identification of bacteria is particularly important in sepsis, a potentially life-threatening condition in which delays in administering appropriate antibiotics can increase the risk to patients. Conventional blood culture tests may take several days to identify the bacteria, whereas molecular testing can provide results within seven to eight hours. Doctors, however, make the final treatment decision based on diagnostic findings and the patient's clinical condition. Officials said tests that cost Rs.15,000-20,000 at private or commercial facilities are being conducted at KGMU for around Rs.2,000 or less. Thousands of tests have been performed at subsidised rates over the past two years, while eligible Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries and economically disadvantaged patients receive the services free. Precision medicine is also being used to assess variations in patients' responses to medicines prescribed for heart conditions. Therapeutic drug monitoring helps measure drug concentrations in the body to ensure effective treatment while reducing the risk of adverse effects. Around 1,600 molecular tests were conducted at the facility last year, while the number has already crossed 1,700 this year, officials said....