Prevention of Blood Culture Contamination Clinical Practice Guideline

CLINICAL QUESTION: Which preanalytic variables related to peripheral venous specimen collection and transportation decrease blood culture contamination?

PROBLEM: Bacteremia is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, and accurate and timely identification of the causative organism is imperative for patient survival. However, the value of blood cultures is limited by contamination. Blood culture contamination decreases efficiency and safety and increases resource utilization. Patients with contaminated blood cultures often receive unnecessary antibiotics and additional diagnostic studies, leading to increased hospital stay lengths and potential exposure to harm. This CPG evaluates the scientific evidence for the prevention of blood culture contamination in the preanalytic phase.