A fever workup guideline.
Fever is a common clinical problem in patients hospitalized with trauma. When an infection is suspected, it is important to identify the source of fever and begin definitive care before more severe morbidity occurs. An undirected approach with "pan cultures" has resulted in a high rate of negative cultures obtained and has increased patient care costs. By developing and using an evidence-based fever workup guideline, this institution was able to evaluate and identify infections and reduce costs.
Hunsicker
K
K
Lehigh Valley Physicians Group, Lehigh Valley Hospital & Health Network, Allentown, PA 18105, USA.
Fuss
M A
MA
Shollenberger
D
D
Pasquale
M D
MD
D000465:Algorithms; D003663:Decision Trees; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005334:Fever / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000150:complications*; D009737:Nursing Records; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors