Theodosiou et al reported criteria for quickly excluding significant bacteremia in a pediatric patient. Exclusion of significant bacteremia can expedite care and improve efficiency. The authors are from Portsmouth Hospital in England.
Patient selection: febrile pediatric patient < 16 years of age
Criteria for excluding significant bacteremia:
(1) otherwise well-appearing, without features of sepsis
(2) no comorbidities
(3) negative blood culture after 24 hours of incubation
(4) no objection by the clinician
where:
• The rule assumes that the blood cultures are collected properly with sufficient volume.
A pediatric patient meeting the criteria can be discharged and/or parenteral antibiotics can be discontinued.
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