Prescribers’ knowledge, attitudes and perceptions about blood culturing practices for adult hospitalized patients: a call for action

To the Editor — The clinical variables that most commonly trigger blood cultures in daily practice (eg, fever, leukocytosis) correlate poorly with bacteremia. 1 – 3 Published guidelines do not provide specific recommendations for when blood cultures should be drawn. 2,4 – 6 Liberal blood culture testing may result in unnecessary and potentially harmful consequences: exposure to unnecessary antibiotics, unnecessary removal of venous catheters, overestimation of central-line – associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) and added healthcare costs. 7,8 and perceptions regarding