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Navigating the blood–brain barrier: enhancing blood culture practices in the neuro-ICU

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 January 2025

Maureen Metz
Affiliation:
Departments of Neurology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
Katharine Colton
Affiliation:
Departments of Neurology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
Jessica Seidelman*
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA Duke Center for Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Prevention, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
*
Corresponding author: Jessica Seidelman; Email: jessica.seidelman@duke.edu

Abstract

This study evaluates the implementation of a blood culture (BCx) algorithm in the neurology ICU (NICU) to reduce BCx event (BCE) rates. Results show a reduction in BCE rates, without increasing adverse outcomes. The findings support the feasibility of BCx algorithms for improving diagnostic stewardship in the specialized NICU population.

Type
Concise Communication
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America

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