title: What happens when automated blood culture instrument detect growth but there are no technologists in the microbiology laboratory?
abstract: We investigated blood cultures that revealed growth at night when no technologists were in the microbiology laboratory and at other times when the laboratory was staffed. On average, it took 7 h and 26 min and 2 h and 12 min for laboratory personnel to report positive blood culture Gram stain results to physicians when growth was detected by automated instruments during the former and latter time periods, respectively. When positive blood culture results led to a change in therapy, it took an average of 8 h and 21 min and 5 h and 26 min in the former and latter groups, respectively, from detection to when the order was written.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI 02903, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Savinelli
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parenteau
authors.forename: Leonard A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Mermel
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001331:Automation; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007755:Laboratories, Hospital; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents