Rationalising the ordering of blood cultures.

In 1996 a project was undertaken to determine the clinical impact of blood cultures taken in the emergency department. It found that 1.6% of all blood cultures taken resulted in changes in patient management. In response to these findings, guidelines were developed for more appropriate utilisation of blood cultures. It was predicted that the guidelines would result in a reduction in test ordering of approximately 40% and an annual saving of approximately $18,000. The guidelines were implemented in mid-1997. An audit of test ordering for the months of January to August 1998 shows a 53% reduction in the ordering of blood cultures.