Community-onset bloodstream infection during the 'after hours' is not associated with an increased risk for death

Patients admitted to hospital during the 'after hours' (weekends and evenings) may be at increased risk for adverse outcome. The objective of the present study was to assess whether community-onset bloodstream infections presenting in the after hours are associated with death.

All patients in the Victoria area of British Columbia, who had first admissions with community-onset bloodstream infections between 1998 and 2005 were included. The day of admission to hospital, the day and time of culture draw, and all-cause, in-hospital mortality were ascertained.

A total of 2108 patients were studied. Twenty-six per cent of patients were admitted on a weekend. Blood cultures were drawn on a weekend in 27% of cases and, in 43%, 33%, and 25% of cases, cultures were drawn during the day (08:00 to 17:59), the evening (18:00 to 22:59) and night (23:00 to 07:59), respectively. More than two-thirds (69%) of index cultures were drawn during the after hours (any time Saturday or Sunday and weekdays 18:00 to 07:59). The overall in-hospital case fatality rate was 13%. No difference in mortality was observed in relation to the day of the week of admission or time period of sampling. After-hours sampling was not associated with mortality in a multivariable logistic regression model examining factors associated with death.

Presentation with community-onset, bloodstream infection during the after hours does not increase the risk of death.