title: Appropriateness of expectorated sputum cultures in the hospital setting.
abstract: We assessed whether expectorated sputum samples are ordered according to national guidelines and the impact of culture results on patient management. Overall, guidelines for ordering sputum samples were followed for 23% (18/78) of patients. Results affected treatment in 18% (14/79) of cases. Reducing inappropriate sputum cultures may have significant economic savings in the hospital system.
authors.affiliation: Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Caroline E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Sloan
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Shaina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bernard
authors.affiliation: Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Electronic address: nachamki@mail.med.upenn.edu.
authors.forename: Irving
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nachamkin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Expectorated sputum; Pneumonia; Resource utilization; Sputum culture