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Sautter RL, Parrott JS, Nachamkin I, Diel C, Tom RJ, Bobenchik AM, Bradford JY, Gilligan P, Halstead DC, LaSala PR, Mochon AB, Mortensen JE, Boyce L, Baselski V. American Society for Microbiology evidence-based laboratory medicine practice guidelines to reduce blood culture contamination rates: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024; 37:e0008724. [PMID: 39495314 PMCID: PMC11629619 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00087-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYBlood cultures (BCs) are one of the critical tests used to detect bloodstream infections. BC results are not 100% specific. Interpretation of BC results is often complicated by detecting microbial contamination rather than true infection. False positives due to blood culture contamination (BCC) vary from 1% to as high as >10% of all BC results. False-positive BC results may result in patients undergoing unnecessary antimicrobial treatments, increased healthcare costs, and delay in detecting the true cause of infection or other non-infectious illness. Previous guidelines from the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, College of American Pathologists, and others, based on expert opinion and surveys, promoted a limit of ≤3% as acceptable for BCC rates. However, the data supporting such recommendations are controversial. A previous systematic review of BCC examined three practices for reducing BCC rates (venipuncture, phlebotomy teams, and pre-packaged kits). Subsequently, numerous studies on different practices including using diversion devices, disinfectants, and education/training to lower BCC have been published. The goal of the current guideline is to identify beneficial intervention strategies to reduce BCC rates, including devices, practices, and education/training by providers in collaboration with the laboratory. We performed a systematic review of the literature between 2017 and 2022 using numerous databases. Of the 11,319 unique records identified, 311 articles were sought for full-text review, of which 177 were reviewed; 126 of the full-text articles were excluded based on pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were extracted from a total of 49 articles included in the final analysis. An evidenced-based committee's expert panel reviewed all the references as mentioned in Data Collection and determined if the articles met the inclusion criteria. Data from extractions were captured within an extraction template in the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's Systematic Review Data Repository (https://srdr.ahrq.gov/). BCC rates were captured as the number of events (contaminated samples) per arm (standard practice versus improvement practice). Modified versions of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Study Quality Assessment Tools were used for risk of bias assessment (https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/study-quality-assessment-tools). We used Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations to assess strength of evidence. There are several interventions that resulted in significant reduction in BCC rates: chlorhexidine as a disinfectant for skin preparation, using a diversion device prior to drawing BCs, using sterile technique practices, using a phlebotomy team to obtain BCs, and education/training programs. While there were no substantial differences between methods of decreasing BCC, our results indicate that the method of implementation can determine the success or failure of the intervention. Our evidence-based systematic review and meta-analysis support several interventions to effectively reduce BCC by approximately 40%-60%. However, devices alone without an education/training component and buy-in from key stakeholders to implement various interventions would not be as effective in reducing BCC rates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James Scott Parrott
- Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, Rutgers School of Health Professions, Newark, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Newark, New Jersey, USA
- The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Irving Nachamkin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Christen Diel
- Wellstar MCG Health, Augusta, Georgia and The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Ryan J. Tom
- Garnet Health Medical Center - Catskills, New York, Harris, New York, USA
- The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - April M. Bobenchik
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Judith Young Bradford
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, Louisiana, USA
| | - Peter Gilligan
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Diane C. Halstead
- Global Infectious Disease Consultants, LLC, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - P. Rocco LaSala
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - A. Brian Mochon
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine–Phoenix, University of Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
- Banner Health/Sonora Quest Laboratories, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Joel E. Mortensen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Lindsay Boyce
- Department of Research Informatics, MSK Library, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Vickie Baselski
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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Mortensen N, Kristiansen MS, Tellefsen OA, Köpp UMS. Recovery of pathogens with implementation of a weight-based algorithm for pediatric blood cultures: an observational intervention study. BMC Pediatr 2024; 24:438. [PMID: 38982359 PMCID: PMC11232176 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-024-04930-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recovering pathogenic bacteria and yeast from pediatric blood cultures and reliably distinguishing between pathogens and contaminants are likely to be improved by increasing the volume of blood submitted to microbiology laboratories for culturing beyond the low volumes that have historically have been used. The primary aim of this study was to assess whether the pathogen recovery rate would increase after implementation of a weight-based algorithm for determining the intended volume of blood submitted for culturing. Secondary aims were to: 1) evaluate the effects of the algorithm implementation on the blood culture contamination rate; 2) determine whether pathogens might be found more often than contaminants in several as opposed to single bottles when more than one bottle is submitted; and 3) describe the microbiological findings for pathogens and contaminants in blood cultures by applying a clinical validation of true blood culture positivity. METHODS A pre-post comparison of positivity and contamination rates after increasing the theoretical blood volume and number of blood culture bottles was performed, on the basis of a clinical validation of blood culture findings as pathogens vs contaminants. RESULTS We examined 5327 blood cultures, including 186 with growth (123 true positives and 63 contaminated). The rate of true positive blood cultures significantly increased from 1.6% (42/2553) pre to 2.9% (81/2774, p = .002) post intervention. The rate of contaminated blood cultures did not change significantly during the study period (1.4% [35/2553] pre vs 1.0% [28/2774], p = .222) post intervention), but the proportion of contaminated cultures among all positive cultures decreased from 45% (35/77) pre to 26% (28/109, p = .005) post intervention. A microorganism that grew in a single bottle was considered a contaminant in 35% (8/23) of cases, whereas a microorganism that grew in at least two bottles was considered a contaminant in 2% (1/49, p < .001) of cases. According to common classification criteria relying primarily on the identity of the microorganism, 14% (17/123) of the recovered pathogens would otherwise have been classified as contaminants. CONCLUSION Implementation of a weight-based algorithm to determine the volume and number of blood cultures in pediatric patients is associated with an increase in the pathogen recovery rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolay Mortensen
- Department of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Soerlandet Hospital, Kristiansand, Norway.
- Department of Microbiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
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Bucala M, Hopfner D, Sharma M, Nomides N, Madigan J, Brodsky C, Power L. Does it matter who performs blood culture collection? Results of a survey assessing phlebotomist, nurse, and resident knowledge of blood culture collection protocols. J Infect Prev 2024; 25:82-84. [PMID: 38584708 PMCID: PMC10998546 DOI: 10.1177/17571774241232064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Blood cultures are the primary method for diagnosing bloodstream infections. However, blood culture contamination (BCC) can lead to unnecessary antibiotic treatment, additional tests, and extended patient time in the hospital. The aim of this quality improvement project was to evaluate healthcare workers' knowledge of blood culture collection protocols and evaluate the blood culture contamination rates of laboratory and non-laboratory staff. We performed a retrospective review of contaminated cultures between May 2021 and April 2022, and anonymous surveys were distributed to assess staff knowledge of proper blood culture collection protocols. Laboratory staff (phlebotomy) had an overall BCC rate of 4.6% compared to a non-laboratory staff (nurses, residents, and medical students) rate of 9.7% (p < 0.0001). On the survey, phlebotomists had the best score (89% correct), followed by nurses (76%) and residents and medical students (64%). These data suggest that blood culture protocol knowledge and BCC rates may be related, with phlebotomists scoring highest on the knowledge survey and demonstrating the lowest contamination rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Bucala
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Casey Brodsky
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Laura Power
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Blaser F, Meneau I, Mihic-Probst D, Muth DR, Barthelmes D, Zweifel S, Said S, Bajka A. A Novel Technique of Aseptic Manufacture of Autologous Serum Eye Drops (ASEDs) and Sterility Analysis of the Bottled Ophtioles. Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 2024; 241:392-397. [PMID: 38653293 DOI: 10.1055/a-2249-0056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To introduce a novel technique of the aseptic manufacture of autologous serum eye drops (ASEDs) with a prefiltered closed system and to analyze the sterility of the produced ophtioles between 2018 and 2022. METHODS This is a prospective single-center study conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology at a Swiss University Hospital between 2018 and 2022. For regulatory reasons, closed systems for manufacturing ASEDs are strongly recommended. We attached an upstream sterile filter (Sterivex PES0.22 µm Burlington, USA) to a commercially available closed system (COL System Modena, Italy) for manufacturing ASEDs. The goal of this novel approach was to reduce the microbiological contamination of the donated autologous blood. Using the presented manufacturing method, we are able to produce, on average, 56 ophtioles per batch, containing either 1.45 mL or 2.5 mL of autologous serum per ophtiole. For each batch of ASEDs, we performed a microbiological analysis by automated blood culture testing (BACTEC). This system examines the presence of bacteria and fungi. RESULTS We analyzed all manufactured batches between 2018 and 2022. None of the 2297 batches and the resulting 129 060 ophtioles showed bacterial or mycotic contamination. During the analyzed period, two batches were discarded: one due to fibrin-lipid aggregations, further microbiological and histological work-up excluded any contamination; another due to false-positive HIV in serological testing. Overall, the contamination rate was 0%, and the batch discharge rate was 0.09%. CONCLUSIONS The combination of upstream sterile filtration with a commercial closed system for manufacturing ASEDs proved to be effective in ensuring sterility without any contamination over the past 4 years. This is becoming crucial, as the demand for autologous blood products for treating ocular surface disorders, such as refractory dry eyes or nonhealing defects of the corneal epithelium, is on the rise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Blaser
- Department of Ophthalmology, UniversitätsSpital Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle Meneau
- Department of Ophthalmology, UniversitätsSpital Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Mihic-Probst
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, UniversitätsSpital Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Rudolf Muth
- Department of Ophthalmology, UniversitätsSpital Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Neuro Science, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Daniel Barthelmes
- Department of Ophthalmology, UniversitätsSpital Zürich, Switzerland
- Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney CAR, Glebe, Australia
| | - Sandrine Zweifel
- Department of Ophthalmology, UniversitätsSpital Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Sadiq Said
- Department of Ophthalmology, UniversitätsSpital Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Anahita Bajka
- Department of Ophthalmology, UniversitätsSpital Zürich, Switzerland
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Liu W, Liao K, Wu J, Liu S, Zheng X, Wen W, Fu L, Fan X, Yang X, Hu X, Jiang Y, Wu K, Guo Z, Li Y, Liu W, Cai M, Guo Z, Guo X, Lu J, Chen E, Zhou H, Chen D. Blood culture quality and turnaround time of clinical microbiology laboratories in Chinese Teaching Hospitals: A multicenter study. J Clin Lab Anal 2024; 38:e25008. [PMID: 38235610 PMCID: PMC10829685 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.25008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Blood culture (BC) remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of bloodstream infections. Improving the quality of clinical BC samples, optimizing BC performance, and accelerating antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) results are essential for the early detection of bloodstream infections and specific treatments. METHODS We conducted a retrospective multicenter study using 450,845 BC specimens from clinical laboratories obtained from 19 teaching hospitals between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021. We evaluated key performance indicators (KPIs), turnaround times (TATs), and frequency distributions of processing in BC specimens. We also evaluated the AST results of clinically significant isolates for four different laboratory workflow styles. RESULTS Across the 10 common bacterial isolates (n = 16,865) and yeast isolates (n = 1011), the overall median (interquartile range) TATs of AST results were 2.67 (2.05-3.31) and 3.73 (2.98-4.64) days, respectively. The specimen collections mainly occurred between 06:00 and 24:00, and specimen reception and loadings mainly between 08:00 and 24:00. Based on the laboratory workflows of the BCs, 16 of the 19 hospitals were divided into four groups. Time to results (TTRs) from specimen collection to the AST reports were 2.35 (1.95-3.06), 2.61 (1.98-3.32), 2.99 (2.60-3.87), and 3.25 (2.80-3.98) days for groups I, II, III, and IV, respectively. CONCLUSION This study shows the related BC KPIs and workflows in different Chinese hospitals, suggesting that laboratory workflow optimization can play important roles in shortening time to AST reports and initiation of appropriate timely treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanting Liu
- Microbiome Medicine Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhujiang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Kang Liao
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThe First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Jinsong Wu
- Department of Laboratory MedicineShenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology)ShenzhenGuangdongChina
| | - Suling Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences)Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Xin Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Weihong Wen
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's HospitalQingyuanGuangdongChina
| | - Liang Fu
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThe Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Xiaoyi Fan
- The Clinical Microbiological LaboratoryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Xiao Yang
- Department of Laboratory MedicineGuangzhou First People's HospitalGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Xiumei Hu
- Department of Laboratory MedicineNanfang Hospital, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Yueting Jiang
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThe First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Kuihai Wu
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThe First People's Hospital of FoshanFoshanGuangdongChina
| | - Zhusheng Guo
- Clinical Microbiology LaboratoryDepartment of Dongguan Tungwah HospitalDongguanGuangdongChina
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Laboratory MedicineZhongshan City People's HospitalZhongshanGuangdongChina
| | - Weiyang Liu
- Clinical LaboratoryThe Third People's Hospital of HuizhouHuizhouGuangdongChina
| | - Mufa Cai
- The Center for Laboratory MedicineAffiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical UniversityZhanjiangGuangdongChina
| | - Zhaowang Guo
- Clinical LaboratoryThe Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen UniversityZhuhaiGuangdongChina
| | - Xuguang Guo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory MedicineThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Jinghui Lu
- Laboratory Medicine DepartmentThe First Affiliated Hospital (School of Clinical Medicine), Guangdong Pharmaceutical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Enzhong Chen
- Microbiome Medicine Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhujiang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Hongwei Zhou
- Microbiome Medicine Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhujiang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Dingqiang Chen
- Microbiome Medicine Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhujiang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
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