Single-site sampling versus multi-site sampling for blood cultures; A retrospective clinical study

Author(s):  
Anna Larsson ◽  
David Yu ◽  
Patrik Dinnétz ◽  
Hampus Nordqvist ◽  
Volkan Özenci

Objectives The performance of blood cultures (BC) relies on optimal sampling. Sepsis guidelines do not specify which sampling protocol to use, but recommend two sets of BC bottles, each set containing one aerobic and one anaerobic bottle. For the single-site sampling (SSS) protocol, only one venipuncture is performed for all four bottles. The predominating multi-site sampling (MSS) protocol implies that BC bottles are collected from two separate venipuncture sites. The aim of this study was to compare SSS and MSS. Primary outcomes were number of BC sets collected, sample volume and diagnostic performance. Methods This was a retrospective clinical study comparing BC results in an emergency department before and after changing the sampling protocol to SSS from MSS. All BC samples were incubated in the BacT/ALERT BC system. Results The analysis included 5,248 patients before and 5,364 patients after the implementation of SSS. There was a significantly higher proportion of positive BCs sampled with SSS compared to MSS, 1,049/5,364 (19.56%) and 932/5,248 (17.76%) respectively ( P =0.018). This difference was due to a higher proportion of solitary BC sets (two BC bottles) in MSS. Analyzing only patients with the recommended four BC bottles, there was no difference in positivity. SSS had a higher proportion of BC bottles with the recommended sample volumes of 8-12 ml than MSS ( P <0.001). Conclusions Changing the sampling protocol to SSS from MSS resulted in higher positivity rates, higher sample volume and fewer solitary BC sets. These advantages of SSS should be considered in future sepsis guidelines.

2021 ◽  
pp. 112972982110025
Author(s):  
Yu-Xia Yin ◽  
Wei Gao ◽  
Sheng-Yu Feng ◽  
Deng-Xu Wang ◽  
Min Wan ◽  
...  

Objective: Safety and efficacy of ECG-guided PICC insertion using a new silicon catheter with a conductive tip was evaluated in daily practice. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 1659 patients who accepted successful tip-conductive PICC placement and clinically followed-up until the catheter removal between January 2018 and April 2019. Baseline of patient characteristics, catheter placement characteristics, date of dressing changes as well as records of catheter-related complications were extracted from a special designed mobile APP. Results: The first-attempt success (success of placing catheter tip to the ideal position by primary indwelling operation) rate of PICC placement was 99.3%. The average duration of PICC placement was 128.7 ± 39.5 days and 1535 patients (92.5%) reached the therapy end-point without any complications and removed the catheter normally. The cumulative rates of total complications were 7.5%, including exit site infection (2.5%), phlebitis (0.9%), DVT (1.0%), catheter malposition (1.1%), catheter breakage (0.1%), and liquid extravasation (1.8%). In multivariable logistic regression analyses, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, lung cancer, stomach cancer, and lymphoma were significantly associated with increased risk of complications, as the independent risk factors. Conclusions: This retrospective clinical study demonstrates that ECG-guided insertion of a new tip-conductive PICC is associated with a high rate of first-attempt success and low rate of catheter related complications.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kostas Kalokasidis ◽  
Meltem Onder ◽  
Myrto-Georgia Trakatelli ◽  
Bertrand Richert ◽  
Klaus Fritz

In this prospective clinical study, the Q-Switched Nd:YAG 1064 nm/532 nm laser (Light Age, Inc., Somerset, NJ, USA) was used on 131 onychomycosis subjects (94 females, 37 males; ages 18 to 68 years). Mycotic cultures were taken and fungus types were detected. The laser protocol included two sessions with a one-month interval. Treatment duration was approximately 15 minutes per session and patients were observed over a 3-month time period. Laser fluencies of 14 J/cm2were applied at 9 billionths of a second pulse duration and at 5 Hz frequency. Follow-up was performed at 3 months with mycological cultures. Before and after digital photographs were taken. Adverse effects were recorded and all participants completed “self-evaluation questionnaires” rating their level of satisfaction. All subjects were well satisfied with the treatments, there were no noticeable side effects, and no significant differences were found treating men versus women. At the 3-month follow-up 95.42% of the patients were laboratory mycologically cured of fungal infection. This clinical study demonstrates that fungal nail infections can be effectively and safely treated with Q-Switched Nd:YAG 1064 nm/532 nm laser. It can also be combined with systemic oral antifungals providing more limited treatment time.


2021 ◽  
Vol 106 ◽  
pp. 103586
Author(s):  
Constance Wong ◽  
Igor R. Blum ◽  
Chris Louca ◽  
Martin Sparrius ◽  
Kristina Wanyonyi

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