1,2Oluwole, T. O., *1,2Otaigbe, I. I., 1Okunbor, H. N., 1Osinowo, A. O., and 1,2Elikwu, C. J.
1Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria
2Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Benjamin (S) Carson (Snr) College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria
*Correspondence to: otaigbei@babcock.edu.ng; +2348024406763
Abstract:
Background: Bloodstream infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among in-patients globally. Blood culture is the ‘gold standard’ test for the diagnosis of bloodstream infections. The value of this valuable investigation in the diagnosis of infections however may be affected when an organism of questionable evidence is isolated, which occurs mainly due to contamination during the pre-analytical phase. Blood culture contamination can lead to the administration of unnecessary antibiotics, wastage of hospital resources, and risks to patient life. Hence, this study aimed to analyse the blood culture contamination rate in a private tertiary hospital in southwest Nigeria. Continue reading “Blood culture contamination in Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria: A five-year retrospective study”