Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus bacteraemia evaluation: lack of clinical information and prevalence of methicillin resistance
Notes or commentaries
Nwose, Ezekiel, Cann, Nathan and Jha, Gangesh. 2009. "Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus bacteraemia evaluation: lack of clinical information and prevalence of methicillin resistance." Australian Journal of Medical Science. 30 (2), pp. 52-55.
Article Title | Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus bacteraemia evaluation: lack of clinical information and prevalence of methicillin resistance |
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ERA Journal ID | 15768 |
Article Category | Notes or commentaries |
Authors | Nwose, Ezekiel, Cann, Nathan and Jha, Gangesh |
Journal Title | Australian Journal of Medical Science |
Journal Citation | 30 (2), pp. 52-55 |
Number of Pages | 4 |
Year | 2009 |
Publisher | Australian Institute of Medical Scientists |
Place of Publication | Australia |
ISSN | 1038-1643 |
Web Address (URL) | https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.996335959675840 |
Abstract | Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) contamination of blood cultures is well recognised. This issue is frequently faced by microbiologists and a well documented investigation of whether this contamination is device-related needs to be carried out, in case of complaints by patients. Results from three years of blood culture performed by our laboratory were reviewed to determine the prevalence and significance of methicillin-resistant CoNS. A total of 5216 sets of blood culture specimens were tested. Of these 159 grew CoNS, of which 62% were methicillin-resistant. No clinical information was provided in 73% of cases. This represents the proportion of cases where the medical microbiologist had inadequate information to decide if the isolate was a contaminant or the cause of infection. Acquiring this information would be extremely time consuming. It is important for laboratory services to continue to request that clinical information be provided on the request form. The practice of suppressing antibiotic susceptibilities and adding the comment such as "possible contaminant, sensitivities available on request" also remains a valid precaution to avoid blame in the case of a complaint. |
Keywords | blood culture contaminants; clinical information; methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus; precaution against litigation |
Contains Sensitive Content | Does not contain sensitive content |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 420605. Preventative health care |
Public Notes | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
Byline Affiliations | South West Pathology Service, Australia |
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