Blood culture volume requirements
Abstract:
Background: The aim of this study was to optimize the mean volume of blood drawn by nurses to a level that is recommended by our hospital through the implementation of PDCA cycle management. The purpose of the current study was to match the mean volumes of blood drawn with the volume recommended by the manufacturer.
Methods: The adequacy of blood volume in a bottle of aerobic blood culture per venipuncture was evaluated for every month from January 2021 to March 2022 by using the Becton Dickinson BD blood volume monitoring system. Furthermore, the study compared changes in the mean blood volumes before and after the PDCA cycle management was implemented.
Results: The mean blood volumes calculated for Q1 2021 (January 2021 to March 2021) before the PDCA cycle management was 6.3 mL per culture bottle. After PDCA cycle management was implemented, the mean blood volumes for Q1 2022 (January 2022 to March 2022) were calculated as 8.6 mL (p < 0.01). In addition, the positive culture rate increased from 13% to 15%.
Conclusions: Implementing the PDCA cycle management can improve the mean blood culture volumes effectively and match the volume recommended by the manufacturer. Additionally, our study indicated that a higher blood volume yielded a culture rate that was significantly positive.
Reference:
Tseng YW, Chen CC, Liao YY, Er TK. Optimizing Blood Culture Volumes by Implementing PDCA Cycle Management. Clin Lab. 2023 Apr 1;69(4). doi: 10.7754/Clin.Lab.2022.220718. PMID: 37057938.