ArticleHand (New York, N.Y.)2025
Utility of Routine Blood Cultures for Upper Extremity Abscesses.
Article in Hand (New York, N.Y.), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Authors and funding
5 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundPatients 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.
methodsA 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.
resultsIncreasing 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.
conclusionsRoutinely 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.
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