Epidemiology of Blood Culture Utilization in a Cohort of Critically Ill Children

Abstract

Blood culture acquisition is integral in the assessment of patients with sepsis, though there exists a lack of clarity relating to clinical states that warrant acquisition. We investigated the clinical status of critically ill children in the timeframe proximate to acquisition of blood cultures. The associated rates of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (72%) and sepsis (57%) with blood culture acquisition were relatively low suggesting a potential overutilization of blood cultures. Efforts are needed to improve decision making at the time that acquisition of blood cultures is under consideration and promote percutaneous blood draws over indwelling lines.

Keywords

sepsis - blood culture - pediatric intensive care units

Note

All work pertinent to this manuscript was performed at the University of Virginia Children's Hospital and the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA.

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