Abstract
Blood culture acquisition is integral in the assessment of patients with sepsis, though
there exists a lack of clarity relating to clinical states that warrant acquisition.
We investigated the clinical status of critically ill children in the timeframe proximate
to acquisition of blood cultures. The associated rates of systemic inflammatory response
syndrome (72%) and sepsis (57%) with blood culture acquisition were relatively low
suggesting a potential overutilization of blood cultures. Efforts are needed to improve
decision making at the time that acquisition of blood cultures is under consideration
and promote percutaneous blood draws over indwelling lines.
Keywords
sepsis - blood culture - pediatric intensive care units
