AI Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to analyze how blood cultures (BC) are utilized in emergency departments (EDs) and to highlight the differences in reasons for collecting them.
- Data from 11 EDs was collected over three years (2018-2020) to assess the various protocols used for BC collection.
- Results showed significant variations in BC collection rates (19%-30%) and the specific indications and cutoff values for fever and hypothermia across different EDs, suggesting a need for standardized criteria to improve the process.
Article Abstract
Objective: To gain insight into the blood culture (BC) utilization in emergency departments (EDs) and to identify differences in the indications for BC collection.
Design: Retrospective study METHOD: Data were collected in 11 EDs for 2018, 2019, and 2020. Indications for blood culture collection were identified in from the hospital protocols. Participants indicated which indications are used in their ED.
Results: In 2019, ten EDs collected BC from 19% to 30% of all patients for internal medicine and geriatrics. Both the used indications and the cutoff values varied. For fever, >38.0°C, >38.3°C, or >38.5°C were used, and for hypothermia <36.0°C or <35.0°C.
Conclusion: There is a variation in the percentage of collected BC in the EDs. Additionally, the used indications and the cutoff values differed. A national discussion on criteria is needed to reduce this variation. Meanwhile, structured benchmarking can make BC collection more appropriate.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!