Education of medical personnel optimizes filling volume of blood culture bottles without negatively affecting microbiology testing.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Anemia is a risk factor for adverse outcomes, which can be aggravated by unnecessary phlebotomies. In blood culture testing, up to 30 ml of blood can be withdrawn per sample, even though most manufacturers recommend blood volumes of 10 ml or less. After assessing the filling volume of blood culture bottles at our institution, we investigated whether an educational intervention could optimize filling volume of blood culture bottles without negatively affecting microbiology testing.

Methods

We weighed 10,147 blood cultures before and 11,806 blood cultures after a six-month educational intervention, during which employees were trained regarding correct filling volume via lectures, handouts, emails, and posters placed at strategic places.

Results

Before the edu

SUBMITTER: Steiner K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7704116 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature