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Published on: September 9, 2015
Effect of an initial specimen diversion device on blood-culture contamination rates and vancomycin usage: A
Eli P Wilber1, Ahmed Babiker1,2, Jessica Howard-Anderson1
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
Abstract:
Initial specimen diversion devices (ISDDs) are a potential solution for reducing blood-culture contamination rates. We report the implementation of an ISDD associated with a sustained reduction in blood-culture contamination rates for >18 months after implementation. We did not observe a clinically significant reduction in inpatient vancomycin usage.
Insights
Initial specimen diversion devices (ISDDs) can lower blood culture contamination. This study shows ISDDs sustained reduced contamination rates for over 18 months, without significantly impacting vancomycin use.
Area of Science:
- Clinical microbiology
- Infectious diseases
- Healthcare quality improvement
Background:
- Blood culture contamination is a common issue.
- Contamination can lead to unnecessary antibiotic use and prolonged hospital stays.
- Initial specimen diversion devices (ISDDs) are designed to mitigate this problem.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of implementing an ISDD on blood culture contamination rates.
- To assess the duration of the effect of ISDD implementation.
- To determine if ISDD implementation affected vancomycin usage.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of an ISDD in a clinical setting.
- Monitoring of blood culture contamination rates pre- and post-implementation.
- Analysis of vancomycin usage data for inpatients.
Main Results:
- Sustained reduction in blood culture contamination rates observed for over 18 months post-implementation.
- No clinically significant decrease in inpatient vancomycin usage was detected.
- ISDD implementation proved effective in reducing contamination rates long-term.
Conclusions:
- ISDDs are effective in reducing blood culture contamination rates.
- The benefits of ISDDs in reducing contamination are sustained over time.
- Further research may be needed to explore the impact on antibiotic stewardship outcomes.
