How One Hospital Reduced Blood Culture Contamination Rates in Everyday Practice
Recorded On: 10/12/2022
Webinar Description:
Blood cultures are the gold standard tests for the diagnosis of blood stream infections (BSI) and sepsis. However, false-positive results due to blood culture contamination can impact test accuracy, resulting in unnecessary and prolonged antibiotic treatments for patients and extended hospital stays.
Baylor Scott & White – Centennial, a community-based hospital located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, achieved a 94% reduction in blood culture contamination rates within 90 days by implementing a practice change that included the Steripath® Initial Specimen Diversion Device®. Join this sponsored webinar to learn more about Baylor Scott & White – Centennial’s success and how its experience with practice change and evidence-based technology supported diagnostic, antimicrobial, and financial stewardship.
No CE credits are offered for this sponsored webinar. Content was determined by the sponsor.
Webinar Sponsor:
Sepsis Alliance gratefully acknowledges the support provided by Magnolia Medical Technologies for this sponsored webinar.
Carleen Merola, DNP, RN, TCRN, PCCN
Critical Care Manager
Baylor Scott & White - Centennial
Carleen Merola, DNP, RN, TCRN, PCCN, is the Critical Care Manager at Baylor Scott & White – Centennial in Frisco, TX. Within her role, she oversees the emergency department, intensive care unit, cardiopulmonary department, cardiac cath lab, interventional radiology, and many other special projects. With over 14 years of nursing experience ranging from bedside clinician in the ED to educator to nurse leader, she has been involved with many project implementations. An avid attendee of the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) conference, Dr. Merola first found Steripath at ENA 2019 in Austin, TX. With a commitment to zero harm to the patients within her facility and an early adopter of new technology, she became the first user of Steripath with the Baylor Scott & White system in January of 2020. Her implementation led to a 94% decrease in blood culture contaminations within the ED and was later presented at ENA 2021. She continues to be an integral supporter of the Steripath device within her facility as well as within the Baylor Scott & White system.