Practical Steps to Lower Blood Culture Contamination Rates in the Emergency Department

Abstract

Blood culture testing is routinely used to diagnose infections in symptomatic patients admitted to the emergency department. Blood cultures are necessary for accurate identification of pathogens and to provide targeted antibiotic therapy. Unfortunately, contamination of blood cultures from microorganisms outside the bloodstream is common, resulting in delayed or imprecise treatment, increased risks of morbidity, extended hospital stays, and increased costs of care. 1 Hall KK Lyman JA Updated review of blood culture contamination. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2006; 19: 788-802 Crossref PubMed Scopus (495) Google Scholar , 2 Weinstein MP Blood culture contamination: persisting problems and partial progress. J Clin Microbiol. 2003; 41: 2275-2278 Crossref PubMed Scopus (273) Google Scholar , 3 Ernst DJ Controlling blood-culture contamination rates. MLO Med Lab Obs. 2004; 36: 14-18 PubMed Google Scholar Jennifer Denno, Member, Sacramento Chapter, is Clinical Nurse Educator, Emergency Department, Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento, CA. Mary Gannon, Member, Sacramento Chapter, is Staff Nurse, Emergency Department, Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento, CA.