First name
Mohamad
Middle name
G
Last name
Fakih

Title

Addressing the Overuse of Cultures to Optimize Patient Care.

Year of Publication

2019

Number of Pages

S73-S74

Date Published

2019 Oct 01

ISSN Number

1539-3704

Abstract

<p>Microbiological testing helps clinicians identify pathogens and optimize treatment. However, infection may be misdiagnosed when a “positive” culture represents colonization or contamination. Misdiagnosis of infection may delay correct diagnosis, prompt inappropriate antibiotic use, and result in patient harm. Diagnostic stewardship can improve the appropriate use of microbiological tests and cultures. As diagnostic tests have proliferated, our reliance on tests for diagnosis has increased, even as our knowledge of test characteristics has decreased. Consideration of the mental models that contribute to overtesting can help us identify strategies to combat the “culture of culturing.”</p>

DOI

10.7326/M18-3442

Alternate Title

Ann. Intern. Med.

PMID

31569221

WATCH THIS PAGE

Subscription is not available for this page.