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Utility of Routine Blood Cultures for Upper Extremity Abscesses.

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Citation: Hand. :15589447231213890, 2023 Dec 06PMID: 38054433Department: MedStar Georgetown University Hospital/MedStar Washington Hospital Center | Orthopaedic Surgery ResidencyForm of publication: Journal ArticleMedline article type(s): Journal ArticleSubject headings: IN PROCESS -- NOT YET INDEXEDYear: 2023 ISSN:

1558-9447

Name of journal: Hand (New York, N.Y.)Abstract: BACKGROUND: Patients with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are often admitted by the emergency department for intravenous antibiotic therapy and surgical drainage of abscesses if necessary. As part of the initial diagnostic workup, blood cultures are routinely drawn at our institution in patients with SSTIs. This study seeks to identify the utility of performing blood cultures in patients with upper extremity abscesses as it relates to the number of incision and drainage (I&D) procedures performed, patient readmission rates, and length of hospital stay.CONCLUSIONS: Routinely obtaining blood cultures in patients with upper extremity abscesses may not be beneficial. Obtaining blood cultures is not associated with an increased number of I&D procedures or readmission rates. Furthermore, obtaining blood cultures, regardless of positivity, is associated with increased lengths of hospital stay.METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 314 patients aged 18 to 89 years who underwent 1 or more I&D procedures of upper extremity abscesses were included in the study. Patient demographic data, comorbidities, laboratory values, wound and blood culture results, number of I&D procedures performed, length of stay, and readmission rates were evaluated.RESULTS: Increasing age and white blood count were associated with an increased number of I&Ds performed. Obtaining blood cultures, whether positive or negative, was associated with increased length of stay. There was no association between obtaining blood cultures and number of procedures performed on multivariable analysis. Positive blood cultures were associated with increased readmission rates.All authors: Kurucan E, Echeverria NJ, Jacquez E, Ramsey FV, Solarz MFiscal year: FY2024 Digital Object Identifier:

https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/15589447231213890

Date added to catalog: 2024-01-22

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Title notes ( 5 )

Holdings
Item type	Current library	Collection	Call number	Status	Date due	Barcode
Journal Article	MedStar Authors Catalog	Article	38054433	Available		38054433

BACKGROUND: Patients with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are often admitted by the emergency department for intravenous antibiotic therapy and surgical drainage of abscesses if necessary. As part of the initial diagnostic workup, blood cultures are routinely drawn at our institution in patients with SSTIs. This study seeks to identify the utility of performing blood cultures in patients with upper extremity abscesses as it relates to the number of incision and drainage (I&D) procedures performed, patient readmission rates, and length of hospital stay.

CONCLUSIONS: Routinely obtaining blood cultures in patients with upper extremity abscesses may not be beneficial. Obtaining blood cultures is not associated with an increased number of I&D procedures or readmission rates. Furthermore, obtaining blood cultures, regardless of positivity, is associated with increased lengths of hospital stay.

METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 314 patients aged 18 to 89 years who underwent 1 or more I&D procedures of upper extremity abscesses were included in the study. Patient demographic data, comorbidities, laboratory values, wound and blood culture results, number of I&D procedures performed, length of stay, and readmission rates were evaluated.

RESULTS: Increasing age and white blood count were associated with an increased number of I&Ds performed. Obtaining blood cultures, whether positive or negative, was associated with increased length of stay. There was no association between obtaining blood cultures and number of procedures performed on multivariable analysis. Positive blood cultures were associated with increased readmission rates.

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