Reducing the blood culture contamination rate in a pediatric emergency department and subsequent cost savings

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Hall RT, Domenico HJ, Self WH, Hain PD.
Pediatrics. 2013 Jan;131(1):e292-7.
Monroe Carell Jr Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tennessee

  • Introduced a standardized sterile collection process to reduce peripheral blood culture contamination rate and unnecessary use of resources.
  • The peripheral blood culture contamination rate was reduced from 3.9% during the baseline period to 1.6% during the intervention period.
  • There was a yearly estimated savings of ~$250,000 in hospital charges.

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