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Infectious Diseases and Therapy

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Open Access 01-06-2020 | Original Research

Reducing Blood Culture Contamination Rates: Experiences of Four Hospital Systems

Authors: Diane C. Halstead, Robert L. Sautter, James W. Snyder, Arthur E. Crist, Irving Nachamkin

Published in: Infectious Diseases and Therapy | Issue 2/2020

Abstract

Introduction

Blood cultures (BCs) frequently become contaminated during the pre-analytic phase of collection leading to downstream ramifications. We present a summary of performance improvement (PI) interventions provided by four hospital systems and common factors that contributed to decreased blood culture contamination (BCC) rates.

Methods

Each hospital independently formed a multidisciplinary team and action plan for implementation of their intervention, focusing on the use of educational and training tools. Their goal was to significantly decrease their BCC rates. Pre- and post-intervention data were compared during the sustainment period to determine their success.

Results

All hospitals met their goals of post-intervention BCC rates and with most achieving and sustaining BCC rates ≤ 1.0–2.0%.

Conclusion

Our report highlights how four hospitals independently achieved their objective to decrease their BCC rate with the support of a multidisciplinary team. We propose a benchmark for BCC rates of 1.5 to < 2.0% as achievable and sustainable.

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Title: Reducing Blood Culture Contamination Rates: Experiences of Four Hospital Systems
Authors: Diane C. Halstead
Robert L. Sautter
James W. Snyder
Arthur E. Crist
Irving Nachamkin
Publication date: 01-06-2020
Publisher: Springer Healthcare
Published in: Infectious Diseases and Therapy / Issue 2/2020
Print ISSN: 2193-8229
Electronic ISSN: 2193-6382
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40121-020-00299-1

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Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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