Abstract
The effect of blood culture results on patient management in a department of internal medicine was analyzed retrospectively. In a series of 300 patients 538 blood cultures were taken. Fifty-four (10%) of blood cultures from 44 of the 300 patients were positive, but in 16 patients cultures yielded organisms considered to be contaminants. Only 28 (9.3%) patients' cultures showed growth of clinically significant pathogenic bacteria. Antimicrobial chemotherapy was instituted in 234 (78%) patients before culture results were available. For only 21 (7%) patients did the result of the blood culture have any therapeutic consequences. The high frequency and lack of impact of negative blood cultures demands a more appropriate protocol for blood culturing, and guidelines are suggested.
| Translated title of the contribution | The clinical consequence of blood culture results |
|---|---|
| Original language | Danish |
| Journal | Ugeskrift for Laeger |
| Volume | 157 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1035-1037 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| ISSN | 0041-5782 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 1995 |