An evaluation of blood cultures in the emergency centre
Master Thesis
2011
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University of Cape Town
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Abstract
The aim of this study is to determine whether routine blood cultures performed in a secondary level hospital Emergency Centre affect the choice of antibiotic used in treating patients with bacterial infections. A secondary aim is to determine if staff in the EC are aware of correct procedures for drawing blood cultures, and whether their practice reflects this. This will be a retrospective analysis of all blood cultures done in GF Jooste hospital over a 12 month period (1 April 2008 - 31 March 2009). The EC sees approximately 45 000 patients per year, and approximately 300 blood cultures are performed every month. Inclusion criteria: Age 18 or greater; Blood culture performed by EC staff in EC; Recorded blood culture result by laboratory; Patient in hospital when results received. The data will be analysed and presented as simple descriptive statistics.
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Fleming, J. 2011. An evaluation of blood cultures in the emergency centre. University of Cape Town.