Use of Rapid Molecular Polymerase Chain Reaction in Early Detection of Bacteremia in Neonates Prior to Blood Culture Positivity: A Pilot Study.

Objective: There has been national strive to decrease the time needed to identify microorganisms in blood culture samples to reduce antibiotic use. This study evaluated rapid molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) use in identifying microorganisms in negative culture bottles from neonates with suspected bacterial blood stream infection at 20 to 24 hours of incubation.

Study Design: All blood specimens from neonates with suspected blood stream infection were included.