Rapid classification of positive blood cultures: prospective validation of a multivariate algorithm
Article Abstract:
A positive blood culture is more likely to indicate that a patient has bacteremia, or bacteria in the blood, if the patient has a high risk of bacteremia. Hospital patients who had blood cultures taken were divided into four risk groups for bacteremia. Of 219 positive blood cultures taken from one set of patients, 115 (53%) were true positives, meaning the patients had bacteremia. Among patients who had a low risk of bacteremia, 65 out of 71 positive blood cultures (92%) were false positives that were a result of bacterial contamination. Among the patients who had a high risk of bacteria, 86 (97%) out of 89 positive blood cultures were true positives for patients who had bacteremia. Using this method on 129 positive blood samples taken from a second set of patients, 57 (44%) were found to be true positives. Other factors that may help determine whether a positive blood culture is the result of bacterial contamination are the type of bacteria that grows from the sample, the number of days until the sample becomes positive, and multiple positive blood cultures.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1992
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Effect of Computerized Physician Order Entry and a Team Intervention on Prevention of Serious Medication Errors
Article Abstract:
A computerized medication ordering system may reduce the risk of adverse drug reactions in hospitalized patients. Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA, compared identical hospital units using either a standard ordering system, or a physician computer order entry (POE) system. The computerized system alerts physicians to possible drug interactions, side effects, and appropriate laboratory tests, and reduces errors from misreading handwritten orders. Implementation of the POE was associated with a 55% reduction in medication errors and a 17% reduction in preventable adverse drug reactions. Assigning pharmacists to work more closely with clinical staff did not further reduce medication errors.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1998
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A 40-Year-Old Woman Who Noticed a Medication Error
Article Abstract:
Doctors and pharmacists needs to implement methods for preventing medication errors. A 40-year-old HIV patient re-filled her AIDS medications and was given an anti-ulcer drug and a tranquilizer instead of two of her AIDS drugs.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2001
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