A systematic review 1 including 17 observational studies with a total of at least 3316 subjects was abstracted in DARE. The largest study reported that only 2% of cultures were positive and the findings did not significantly affect patient management. A second study reported a positive culture rate of 5%, but only one result (in an immunocompromised patient) led to a change in patient management. The remaining studies concluded that blood cultures were unnecessary, had no significant impact on patient management, or provided insufficient data.
Primary/Secondary Keywords