Usefulness of blood culture for hospitalized patients who are receiving antibiotic therapy.

Grace, C J; Lieberman, J; Pierce, K; Littenberg, B · Clin Infect Dis · 2001

retrospective_cohort · Level III

Where this comes from

Abstract

We conducted a retrospective study to determine the yield of blood samples drawn for culture during the initial 72 h of antibiotic therapy given to 139 patients who were admitted to the hospital for community-acquired infections or fever. The yield of these blood cultures was predictable and rarely (in only 1 patient [0.72%]) isolated new pathogens.

Medical subject headings