Blood cultures for women hospitalized with acute pelvic inflammatory disease. Are they necessary?
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of positive blood cultures and if the results affect the clinical management or the duration of hospital stay in patients with acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).


METHODS
Retrospective study of all patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of acute PID from January 1, 1996, to December 31, 1997.


RESULTS
Of 93 patients in the study, 3 had significant bacterial growth from blood culture specimens. The results of blood culture specimens did not affect clinical management.


CONCLUSIONS
Routine specimens for blood culture may not be needed from patients hospitalized with acute PID.
Apuzzio
J J
JJ
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, New Jersey Medical School, Medical Science Building E-level, Room 506, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103, USA. apuzzijj@umdnj.edu
Hessami
S
S
Rodriguez
P
P
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009515:New Jersey; D000292:Pelvic Inflammatory Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures