Does This Patient Need Blood Cultures? A Scoping Review of Indications for Blood Cultures in Adult Nonneutropenic Inpatients

Abstract Guidance regarding indications for initial or follow-up blood cultures is limited. We conducted a scoping review of articles published between January 2004 and June 2019 that reported the yield of blood cultures and/or their impact in the clinical management of fever and common infectious syndromes in nonneutropenic adult inpatients. A total of 2893 articles were screened; 50 were included. Based on the reported incidence of bacteremia, syndromes were categorized into low, moderate, and high pretest probability of bacteremia. Routine blood cultures are recommended in syndromes with a high likelihood of bacteremia (eg, endovascular infections) and those with moderate likelihood when cultures from the primary source of infection are unavailable or when prompt initiation of antibiotics is needed prior to obtaining primary source cultures. In syndromes where blood cultures are low-yield, blood cultures can be considered for patients at risk of adverse events if a bacteremia is missed (eg, patient with pacemaker and severe purulent cellulitis). If a patient has adequate source control and risk factors or concern for endovascular infection are not present, most streptococci or Enterobacterales bacteremias do not require routine follow-up blood cultures.

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Predictive scoring models for persistent gram-negative bacteremia that reduce the need for follow-up blood cultures: a retrospective observational cohort study

BMC Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1186/s12879-020-05395-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jongtak Jung ◽

Kyoung-Ho Song ◽

Kang Il. Jun ◽

Chang Kyoung Kang ◽

Nak-Hyun Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Treatment Response ◽

Blood Cultures ◽

Source Control ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Gram Negative ◽

Scoring Model ◽

Source Of Infection ◽

Gram Negative Bacteremia

Abstract Background Although the risk factors for positive follow-up blood cultures (FUBCs) in gram-negative bacteremia (GNB) have not been investigated extensively, FUBC has been routinely carried out in many acute care hospitals. We attempted to identify the risk factors and develop a predictive scoring model for positive FUBC in GNB cases. Methods All adults with GNB in a tertiary care hospital were retrospectively identified during a 2-year period, and GNB cases were assigned to eradicable and non-eradicable groups based on whether removal of the source of infection was possible. We performed multivariate logistic analyses to identify risk factors for positive FUBC and built predictive scoring models accordingly. Results Out of 1473 GNB cases, FUBCs were carried out in 1268 cases, and the results were positive in 122 cases. In case of eradicable source of infection, we assigned points according to the coefficients from the multivariate logistic regression analysis: Extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing microorganism (+ 1 point), catheter-related bloodstream infection (+ 1), unfavorable treatment response (+ 1), quick sequential organ failure assessment score of 2 points or more (+ 1), administration of effective antibiotics (− 1), and adequate source control (− 2). In case of non-eradicable source of infection, the assigned points were end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis (+ 1), unfavorable treatment response (+ 1), and the administration of effective antibiotics (− 2). The areas under the curves were 0.861 (95% confidence interval [95CI] 0.806–0.916) and 0.792 (95CI, 0.724–0.861), respectively. When we applied a cut-off of 0, the specificities and negative predictive values (NPVs) in the eradicable and non-eradicable sources of infection groups were 95.6/92.6% and 95.5/95.0%, respectively. Conclusions FUBC is commonly carried out in GNB cases, but the rate of positive results is less than 10%. In our simple predictive scoring model, zero scores—which were easily achieved following the administration of effective antibiotics and/or adequate source control in both groups—had high NPVs. We expect that the model reported herein will reduce the necessity for FUBCs in GNB cases.

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Predictive scoring models for persistent gram-negative bacteremia that reduce the need for follow-up blood cultures: a retrospective observational cohort study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-40407/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jongtak Jung ◽

Kyoung-Ho Song ◽

Kang Il Jun ◽

Chang Kyoung Kang ◽

Nak-Hyun Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Treatment Response ◽

Blood Cultures ◽

Source Control ◽

Gram Negative ◽

Scoring Model ◽

Source Of Infection ◽

Gram Negative Bacteremia ◽

Positive Results

Abstract Background: Although the risk factors for positive follow-up blood cultures (FUBCs) in gram-negative bacteremia (GNB) have not been investigated extensively, FUBC has been routinely carried out in many acute care hospitals. We attempted to identify the risk factors and develop a predictive scoring model for positive FUBC in GNB cases.Methods: All adults with GNB in a tertiary care hospital were retrospectively identified during a 2-year period, and GNB cases were assigned to eradicable and non-eradicable groups based on whether removal of the source of infection was possible. We performed multivariate logistic analyses to identify risk factors for positive FUBC and built predictive scoring models accordingly. Results: Out of 1,473 GNB cases, FUBCs were carried out in 1,268 cases, and 122 produced positive results. In patient with eradicable source of infection, we assigned points according to the coefficients from the multivariate logistic regression analysis: Extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing microorganism (+1 point), Catheter-related bloodstream infection(+1), unfavorable treatment response (+1), and quick sequential organ failure assessment score of 2 points or more (+1), administration of effective antibiotics (-1), and adequate source control (-2). In non-eradicable source of infection, assigned points were end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis (+1), unfavorable treatment response (+1) and the administration of effective antibiotics (-2). The areas under the curves were 0.861 (95% confidence interval [95CI] 0.806-0.916) and 0.792 (95CI, 0.724-0.861), respectively. When we applied a cut-off of 0, the specificities and negative predictive values (NPVs) in the eradicable and non-eradicable sources of infection groups were 95.6/92.6% and 95.5/95.0%, respectively.Conclusions: FUBC is commonly carried out in GNB cases, but the rate of positive results is less than 10%. In our simple predictive scoring model, zero scores—which were easily achieved following the administration of effective antibiotics and/or adequate source control in both groups—had high NPVs. We expect that the model reported herein will reduce the necessity for FUBCs in GNB cases.

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188. Which patients with gram-negative bacteremia need follow-up blood cultures?

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofz360.263 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. S114-S114

Author(s):

Jongtak Jung ◽

Song Mi Moon ◽

Eu Suk Kim ◽

Hong Bin Kim ◽

Ji Hwan Bang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Treatment Response ◽

Source Control ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Predictive Values ◽

Gram Negative ◽

Negatively Associated ◽

Source Of Infection ◽

Gram Negative Bacteremia

Abstract Background Universal follow-up blood culture (FUBC) in gram-negative bacteremia (GNB) is not recommended, but it has been routinely conducted in many acute-care hospitals. In contrast with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, risk factors for positive FUBC in GNB have not been well investigated. Therefore, we tried to identify the risk factors for and develop predictive scores of positive FUBC. Methods All adults (≥18 years-old) with GNB were identified in a tertiary-care hospital during the 2-year period, retrospectively. Death within 2 days of GNB and polymicrobial infection with gram-positive bacteria or fungus were excluded. GNB were classified into eradicable and non-eradicable source of infection groups, according to the possibility of source removal. We performed multivariate analyses for identifying risk factors for positive FUBC and built prediction scores using the coefficients of the multivariate logistic regression models. Results Of total 1,473 GNB, FUBC was drawn in 1,268 (86%) patients and 122 (9.6%) had positive results. In patients with eradicable source of infection, ESBL-producing microorganism, catheter-related bloodstream infection, unfavorable treatment response, and quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) score (≥2) were associated. On the other hand, administration of effective antibiotics and adequate source control were negatively associated with positive FUBC. In non-eradicable source of infection, end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis, and unfavorable treatment response were related to positive FUBC and administration of effective antibiotics was negatively associated (Table 1). When we built prediction scores according to the coefficients, the areas under the curves were 0.864 (95% confidence interval [CI95] 0.816–0.912) and 0.792 (CI95, 0.721–0.861), respectively. When we applied a cutoff of 0, specificities/negative predictive values in eradicable and non-eradicable source of infection groups were 84.7%/95.6% and 95.5%/95.0%, respectively (Table 2). Conclusion Our prediction scores based on adequate source control and use of effective antibiotics showed high specificities and negative predictive values. Therefore, we could expect these score systems to contribute to reducing unnecessary FUBC in GNB. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

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Implementation of recommendations for the screening of hydroxychloroquine retinopathy: poor adherence of rheumatologists and ophthalmologists

Lupus ◽

10.1177/0961203316660204 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 277-281 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

S Shulman ◽

J Wollman ◽

S Brikman ◽

H Padova ◽

O Elkayam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Retinal Toxicity ◽

Toxicity Screening ◽

Screening Practices ◽

Hydroxychloroquine Retinopathy ◽

Patients At Risk ◽

Risk Of Disease ◽

Frequent Testing ◽

Effective Use

The American Academy of Ophthalmology published in 2011 revised recommendations regarding screening for hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) toxicity. We aimed to assess implementation of these recommendations by rheumatologists and ophthalmologists. A questionnaire regarding screening practices for HCQ toxicity was distributed among all members of the Israeli societies of Rheumatology and Ophthalmology. A total of 128 physicians responded to the questionnaire (rheumatologists: 60, ophthalmologists: 68). Only 5% of the rheumatologists and 15% of the ophthalmologists are aware of ophthalmologic assessments recommended for baseline and follow-up evaluation. When an abnormal test is detected, even if inappropriate for HCQ toxicity screening, 60% of the responders recommend cessation of therapy. Only 13% of the responders recommend first follow-up after five years for patients without risk factors; the remainder recommend more frequent testing. Ninety-six percent of the responders are not aware of all of the known risk factors for HCQ toxicity. Use of inappropriate tests to detect HCQ retinal toxicity may lead to unnecessary cessation of beneficial treatment with risk of disease flare, while lack of consideration of risk factors may put patients at risk for toxicity. These results emphasize the importance of implementing the recommendations to ensure safe and effective use of this drug.

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A high number of diseases and consultations: a warning signal for GPs when following up a multimorbid patient

10.21203/rs.2.13278/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Paul Aujoulat ◽

Patrice NABBE ◽

Sophie LALANDE ◽

Delphine LE GOFF ◽

Jeremy DERRIENIC ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Primary Care ◽

Large Scale ◽

Cox Model ◽

Warning Signal ◽

Research Network ◽

P Value ◽

Patients At Risk ◽

Definition Of

Abstract Background: the European General Practitioners Research Network (EGPRN) designed and validated a comprehensive definition of multimorbidity using a systematic literature review and qualitative research throughout Europe. Detecting risk factors for decompensation would be an interesting challenge for family physicians (FPs) in the management of multimorbid patients. The purpose of the survey was to assess which items belonging to the EGPRN multimorbidity definition could help to identify patients at risk of decompensation in a cohort pilot study over a 24-month follow-up among primary care outpatients. Method : 131 patients meeting the multimorbidity definition were included using two inclusion periods between 2014 and 2015. Over a 24-month follow-up, the « decompensation » or « nothing to report » status was collected. A logistic regression, following a Cox model, was then performed to identify risk factors for decompensation. Results : After 24 months of follow-up, 120 patients were analyzed. 3 clusters were identified. 44 patients, representing 36.6 % of the population, were still alive and had not been hospitalized for a period exceeding 6 days. Two variables were significantly linked to decompensation: the number of visits to the FP per year (HR 1.06, IC 95 %, 1,03-1,10, p-value <0,001) and the total number of diseases (HR 1,12, IC 95 %, 1,013-1,33, p-value = 0,039). Conclusion: FPs should be aware that a high number of consultations and a high total number of diseases are linked to severe outcomes such as death or unplanned hospitalization. A large-scale cohort in primary care seems feasible to confirm these results.

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The Changing Landscape of Uncomplicated Gram-Negative Bacteremia: A Narrative Review to Guide Inpatient Management

Journal of Hospital Medicine ◽

10.12788/jhm.3414 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (12) ◽

pp. 746-753 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jeannie D Chan ◽

Chloe Bryson-Cahn ◽

Zahra Kassamali-Escobar ◽

John B Lynch ◽

Anneliese M Schleyer

Keyword(s):

Cost Effective ◽

Hospital Length ◽

Antimicrobial Treatment ◽

Blood Cultures ◽

Hospital Length Of Stay ◽

Source Control ◽

Gram Negative ◽

Oral Agents ◽

Gram Negative Bacteremia

Gram-negative bacteremia secondary to focal infection such as skin and soft-tissue infection, pneumonia, pyelonephritis, or urinary tract infection is commonly encountered in hospital care. Current practice guidelines lack sufficient detail to inform evidence-based practices. Specifically, antimicrobial duration, criteria to transition from intravenous to oral step-down therapy, choice of oral antimicrobials, and reassessment of follow-up blood cultures are not addressed. The presence of bacteremia is often used as a justification for a prolonged course of antimicrobial therapy regardless of infection source or clinical response. Antimicrobials are lifesaving but not benign. Prolonged antimicrobial exposure is associated with adverse effects, increased rates of Clostridioides difficile infection, antimicrobial resistance, and longer hospital length of stay. Emerging evidence supports shorter overall duration of antimicrobial treatment and earlier transition to oral agents among patients with uncomplicated Enterobacteriaceae bacteremia who have achieved adequate source control and demonstrated clinical stability and improvement. After appropriate initial treatment with an intravenous antimicrobial, transition to highly bioavailable oral agents should be considered for total treatment duration of 7 days. Routine follow-up blood cultures are not cost-effective and may result in unnecessary healthcare resource utilization and inappropriate use of antimicrobials. Clinicians should incorporate these principles into the management of gram-negative bacteremia in the hospital.

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Anthracycline-Induced Clinical Heart Failure in a Cohort of 607 Children: Long-Term Follow-Up Study

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2001.19.1.191 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 191-196 ◽

Cited By ~ 280

Author(s):

L. C.M. Kremer ◽

E. C. van Dalen ◽

M. Offringa ◽

J. Ottenkamp ◽

P. A. Voûte

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Heart Failure ◽

Cumulative Dose ◽

Cumulative Incidence ◽

Clinical Status ◽

Young Patients ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Patients At Risk ◽

Clinical Heart Failure

PURPOSE: To determine the early and late cumulative incidence of anthracycline-induced clinical heart failure (A-CHF) after anthracycline therapy in childhood and to identify associated risk factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The cumulative incidence of A-CHF and the risk factors of A-CHF were assessed in a cohort of 607 children who had been treated with anthracyclines between 1976 and 1996. For 96% of the cohort, we obtained the clinical status up to at least January 1997. The mean follow-up time was 6.3 years. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of A-CHF was 2.8%, after a mean follow-up time of 6.3 years and a mean cumulative dose of anthracyclines of 301 mg/m2. A cumulative dose of anthracycline higher than 300 mg/m2 was associated with an increased risk of A-CHF (relative risk, 11.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.6 to 59.5) compared with a cumulative dose lower than 300 mg/m2. The estimated risk of A-CHF increased with time after the start of anthracycline chemotherapy to 2% after 2 years and 5% after 15 years. CONCLUSION: Up to 5% of patients will develop A-CHF 15 years after treatment, and patients treated with a cumulative dose of anthracyclines higher than 300 mg/m2 are at highest risk for A-CHF. This is thus a considerable and serious problem among these young patients. The findings reinforce the need for strategies for early detection of patients at risk for A-CHF and for the evaluation of other chemotherapeutic possibilities or cardioprotective agents in relation to the survival.

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Risk factors and frequency of postprocedural hemodynamic instability after carotid artery stent placement

Lekarz Wojskowy ◽

10.53301/lw.2100 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (4) ◽

pp. 162-168

Author(s):

Jarosław Świstak ◽

Aleksander Dębiec ◽

Wojciech Szypowski ◽

Piotr Piasecki ◽

Krzysztof Brzozowski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Carotid Artery ◽

Hemodynamic Instability ◽

Neurological Complications ◽

Lesion Length ◽

Symptomatic Carotid ◽

Symptomatic Carotid Stenosis ◽

Before And After ◽

Patients At Risk

The frequency, risk factors and long term consequences of reflexive postprocedural hypotension (PH) following carotid artery stenting (CAS) are not well known. Prospective analysis of 30 patients with 6-month follow-up undergoing CAS with an emboli-protection device was performed. A validated 24-hour ABPM was taken 24 hours before and after CAS. PH was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) <90mm Hg, or decrease in mean arterial BP (MAP) of ≥20% or systolic BP (SBP) of ≥30 mm Hg of baseline BP reading. Neurological assessments were performed 24 hours after CAS and at 6 month follow-up visit. Median age was 69 years, 70% were male, 86% of patients had symptomatic carotid stenosis. Twenty patients (67%) experienced PH, 43% had transient bradycardia, 30% had both PH and bradycardia. The cumulated postprocedural mean SBP and DBP decreased from baseline 128/67 mm Hg to 108/54 mm Hg (p <0.01), mean day (69/min) and night HR (58/min) decreased to respectively 58/min and 49/min (p <0.01). We found no association of PH with age, ischemic heart disease, bifurcation involvement, balloon size, inflation pressure, longer lesion length. Patients with PH significantly (p <0.05) less often were treated with Ca-antagonist (25% vs 70%), more often had ipsilateral ulcerated plaque (85% vs 50%) and had hemodynamically significant stenosis of contralateral ICA (60% vs 30%). During 6 month follow-up only 1 case of neurological deterioration was noticed. PH was a common phenomenon after CAS, however it did not result in neurological complications. Patients at risk can be possibly identified through clinical and angiographic variables.

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291. Impact of Surveillance and Offered Infectious Diseases Consults for Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia on Quality of Care Indicators

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofaa439.334 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S145-S145

Author(s):

Khushali Jhaveri ◽

Sheena Ramdeen

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Quality Of Care ◽

Infectious Diseases ◽

Blood Cultures ◽

Lower Mortality ◽

Duration Of Therapy ◽

Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteremia ◽

Source Of Infection

Abstract Background Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) remains the leading cause of bloodstream infections and is associated with 20–40% mortality. Past studies demonstrated that Infectious Diseases (ID) consultation is associated with better adherence to quality of care indicators (QCIs), including follow-up blood cultures, echocardiography, early source control, and appropriate choice and duration of antibiotics. A 2014 quality improvement project at Medstar Washington Hospital Center (MWHC) by Narsana et al. showed significantly better adherence to SAB QCIs among patients with ID consults and a non-significant trend towards lower mortality. In 2015, MWHC instituted a policy advocating ID consultation for all SAB patients, and active surveillance was performed by the ID Section to offer prompt consults prospectively. Our study aimed to assess the impact of this policy and the proactively offered ID consults on adherence to SAB QCIs and mortality rates amongst patients with SAB with and without ID consults. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 557 patients diagnosed with SAB between July 1st, 2015 - June 30th, 2018. Data included follow-up blood cultures, echocardiography, presence of a focal source of infection, use of appropriate antibiotics, measurement of vancomycin levels, duration of therapy, death during hospitalization, and presence of an ID consultation. Chi-Square and Fisher exact tests, and t-test and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used to analyze categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Results A total of 513 patients were included in the analysis, 88% (n=453) of whom had ID consultations. Patients with ID consultations were more likely to have a focal source of infection (84% vs. 50%, p < 0.0001), echocardiography (97% vs. 56%, p < 0.0001), use of a beta-lactam antibiotic for methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (90% vs 65%, p < 0.0001), and a longer duration of therapy (33 vs 9 days, p< 0.0001). Mortality was lower among patients with ID consults (16% vs. 23%, p=0.1495), but the difference was not statistically significant. Table 1 Conclusion Our study demonstrates that ID consultation is associated with better adherence to SAB QCIs, with a trend towards lower mortality. Hospital systems should support mandatory ID consultation for patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

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Risk Factors for Positive Follow-Up Blood Cultures in Gram-Negative Bacilli Bacteremia: Implications for Selecting Who Needs Follow-Up Blood Cultures

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofaa110 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Hayato Mitaka ◽

Tessa Gomez ◽

Young Im Lee ◽

David C Perlman

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Blood Culture ◽

Retrospective Cohort Study ◽

Retrospective Cohort ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Blood Cultures ◽

Gram Negative ◽

Intravascular Devices

Abstract Background The value of follow-up blood cultures (FUBCs) to document clearance of bacteremia due to Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) has not been well established. Although previous studies suggested that the yield of FUBCs for GNB bacteremia is low, it remains to be elucidated for whom FUBC may be beneficial and for whom it is unnecessary. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed at 4 acute care hospitals to identify risk factors for positive FUBCs with GNB bacteremia and to better guide clinicians’ decisions as to which patients may or may not benefit from FUBCs. Participants included adult patients with GNB bacteremia who had FUBCs and were admitted between January 2017 and December 2018. The primary outcomes were the factors associated with positive FUBCs and the yield of FUBCs with and without the factors. Results Of 306 patients with GNB bacteremia who had FUBCs, 9.2% (95% confidence interval, 6.2%–13.0%) had the same GNB in FUBCs. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis, intravascular device, and bacteremia due to extended-spectrum β-lactamase or carbapenemase-producing organism were identified as independent predictors of positive FUBCs with GNB bacteremia. Approximately 7 FUBCs and 30 FUBCs were needed for patients with ≥1 or no risk factors, respectively, to yield 1 positive result. SummaryThis multi-site retrospective cohort study found that among patients with gram-negative bacilli (GNB) bacteremia, having ESRD on hemodialysis, intravascular devices, or bacteremia due to multi-drug resistant GNB were each independently associated with having a positive follow-up blood culture. Conclusions Follow-up blood culture may not be necessary for all patients with GNB bacteremia and has the highest yield in patients with 1 or more risk factors.

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