Abstract
Blood culture specimen collection from the intravascular indwelling catheter for the diagnosis of bloodstream infection is generally not recommended, but specimen collection from the catheter and catheter tip culture for the diagnosis of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) is recommended. However, since actual infection and contamination for blood culture specimen collection from the intravascular indwelling catheter are difficult to discriminate, we do not know the real implementation rate in actual clinical practice. We sent a questionnaire survey on blood extraction for blood culture and catheter tip cultivation from indwelling catheters to 188 facilities in the Tokai and Hokuriku areas to assess implementation status. Answers were obtained from 114 institutes (answer recovery rate 61%). Only 54% of the institutes collected blood from the catheter. Also, one of two sets was obtained from the catheter-non-indwelling side in 52% of the institutes. Although catheter tip culture had been implemented in 98% of institutes, the culture method was different at each facility. It is important that all medical staff understand the clinical significance of blood collection from indwelling catheters. Also, educational intervention for blood culture is necessary for all medical staff.
