(D1) From Premise to Practice: Revised Blood Culture Contamination Standards of Care Have Arrived

Recommendations set by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute and others concerning acceptable blood culture contamination rates were adjusted accounting for recent developments; attendees will depart well-equipped to navigate these changes.

Blood culture’s diagnostic capabilities were for decades limited by the persistent possibility of contamination, as the sample collection process is quite susceptible to human error. In 2022, target contamination rate recommendations were lowered to a third of the previous value, reflecting a new standard of care attainable and following the introduction of sampling technologies that eliminate opportunities for human error entirely. In contrast to the few studies that prompted this development, peer-reviewed literature describing intervention to curb blood culture contamination from the past thirty years overwhelmingly focuses on educating and re-educating personnel, suggesting the substantial shift in perspective may require promotion to enter widespread practice. Toward preventing misdiagnoses, length of stay extensions and unnecessary antibiotic administration, this session explores the importance of high standards to patients and the importance of fresh perspectives to healthcare.