Attention: This is an archive version of the HELP CDSS for documentation purposes. It is neither updated nor actively maintained!
|
Were the
positive
blood culture pairs taken at
different locations
or
or at different times
?
|
Explanatory Notes:
| The consideration of the location and time of blood sample collection is important in order to assess the relevance of the findings. | |
| Spatially separated positive blood samples - e.g.: peripheral and central (CVC, port, etc.): This can be an indication of an infection of a central vascular catheter, especially if the centrally taken culture became positive 2 h or earlier than the peripheral one (so-called differential time to positivity). | |
| Temporally separated positive blood samples: Collection with at least 2 h interval (but not more than 5 days): Positive blood cultures are then signs of a continuous (relevant) bacteremia. |