Detection of bacteremia in adults: consequences of culturing an inadequate volume of blood
Article Abstract:
Clinical laboratories should be careful to culture an adequate volume of blood from adults with suspected bacteremia. Bacteremia is the presence of bacteria in the blood. A study compared 829 pairs of standard volume and low-volume blood cultures. Standard volume cultures used an average of 9 milliliters of blood, and low-volume cultures used an average of 3 milliliters of blood. Ninety-two percent of the standard volume cultures detected bacteremia, compared with 69% of the low-volume cultures. Of 71 clinical laboratories, only 20% noted the volume of blood used for cultures. Collection of an inadequate amount of blood from adults may be a widespread practice among clinical laboratories.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1993
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Central venous catheters coated with minocycline and rifampin for the prevention of catheter-related colonization and bloodstream infections: a randomized, double-blind trial
Article Abstract:
The use of catheters treated with the antibiotics rifampin and minocycline appears to be effective in reducing the incidence of blood-borne infections. Blood-borne infection rates were compared in 147 patients with treated catheters and 151 patients with standard catheters placed in central veins. Seven patients with standard catheters and none of the patients with treated catheters developed blood-borne infections. There were no reactions associated with the treated catheters. Cost savings associated with the reduced infection rates should more than offset the nominally increased cost of the treated catheters.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1997
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Prevention of central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection by use of an antiseptic-impregnated catheter: a randomized, controlled trial
Article Abstract:
The use of catheters treated with the disinfectants silver sulfadiazine and chlorhexidine appears to be effective in reducing the incidence of blood-borne infections. Four hundred and three standard or treated catheters were placed in a central vein of 158 patients. Patients given standard catheters had five times as many blood-borne infections than those with treated catheters. There were no serious reactions associated with the treated catheters. Cost savings associated with reduced infection rates should more than offset the increased cost of the treated catheters.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1997
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