Cost and Utility of Microbiological Cultures Early After Intensive Care Unit Admission for Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Fever is common among intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Clinicians may use microbiological cultures to differentiate infectious and aseptic fever. However, their utility depends on the prevalence of infection; and false-positive results might adversely affect patient care. We sought to quantify the cost and utility of microbiological cultures in a cohort of ICU patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

Methods

We performed a secondary analysis of a cohort with spontaneous ICH requiring mechanical ventilation. We collected baseline data, measures of systemic inflammation, microbiological culture results for the first 48 h, and daily antibiotic usage. Two physicians adjudicated true-positive and false-positive culture results using standard criteri

SUBMITTER: Elmer J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6423979 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature