Tackling the problem of blood culture contamination in the intensive care unit using an educational intervention.
Blood culture contamination (BCC) has been associated with unnecessary antibiotic use, additional laboratory tests and increased length of hospital stay thus incurring significant extra hospital costs. We set out to assess the impact of a staff educational intervention programme on decreasing intensive care unit (ICU) BCC rates to <3% (American Society for Microbiology standard). BCC rates during the pre-intervention period (January 2006-May 2011) were compared with the intervention period (June 2011-December 2012) using run chart and regression analysis. Monthly ICU BCC rates during the intervention period were reduced to a mean of 3.7%, compared to 9.5% during the baseline period (P < 0.001) with an estimated potential annual cost savings of about £250,100. The approach used was simple in design, flexible in delivery and efficient in outcomes, and may encourage its translation into clinical practice in different healthcare settings.
Clinical and Practice Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast,Belfast,Northern Ireland,UK.
Y M
YM
Alahmadi
Clinical and Practice Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast,Belfast,Northern Ireland,UK.
J C
JC
McElnay
Microbiology Department,Northern Health and Social Care Trust,Ballymena,Northern Ireland,UK.
M P
MP
Kearney
Clinical and Practice Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast,Belfast,Northern Ireland,UK.
M A
MA
Aldeyab
Pharmacy and Medicines Management Centre, Northern Health and Social Care Trust,Antrim,Northern Ireland,UK.
F A
FA
Magee
Intensive Care Unit Antrim Hospital Northern Health and Social Care Trust,Antrim,Northern Ireland,UK.
J
J
Hanley
Intensive Care Unit Antrim Hospital Northern Health and Social Care Trust,Antrim,Northern Ireland,UK.
R
R
Bailie
Intensive Care Unit Antrim Hospital Northern Health and Social Care Trust,Antrim,Northern Ireland,UK.
W
W
Donaldson
Intensive Care Unit Antrim Hospital Northern Health and Social Care Trust,Antrim,Northern Ireland,UK.
K
K
Johnston
Intensive Care Unit Antrim Hospital Northern Health and Social Care Trust,Antrim,Northern Ireland,UK.
S
S
Kinoulty
Intensive Care Unit Antrim Hospital Northern Health and Social Care Trust,Antrim,Northern Ireland,UK.
A
A
Doherty
Iskus Health Ltd,Magna Business Park,Dublin,Ireland.
A
A
Tate
Pharmacy and Medicines Management Centre, Northern Health and Social Care Trust,Antrim,Northern Ireland,UK.
M G
MG
Scott
D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology*; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000592:standards*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D009660:Northern Ireland; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies
Adequate clinical practice; blood culture; educational intervention; false positives