Blood Culture in Patients with Fever (Non-Oncology/Non-Neutropenic) Clinical Pathway — PICU
Blood Culture in Patients with Fever (Non-Oncology/Non-Neutropenic) Clinical Pathway — PICU
Bacteremia Suspected
Any patient with a clinical presentation that does NOT fit under the Bacteremia: low suspicion category AND in whom the clinical team suspects bacteremia should have a blood culture obtained.
If the clinical plan also includes starting or changing antibiotics, do not delay antibiotics if unable to obtain a blood culture (for example, if unable to draw from central venous catheter and unable to obtain peripheral blood culture after 2 attempts).
See guidance on blood culture sources.