Effective immediately, blood culture bottle supplies have returned to pre-allocation levels, allowing CompuNet to lift conservation measures. Effective December 2nd, ordersets and preference lists will default to two blood culture sets for all orders.
Additionally, these best practices will remain in place:
- Blood cultures for non-neutropenic adult patients should follow initial guidance outlined in the Epic order.
- Blood cultures should only be collected with a provider’s order.
- Blood culture bottles are for blood collection only and not other body fluids.
- For patients with elevated temperatures but no new infectious symptoms, wait one hour and retake the temperature to confirm persistent fever before obtaining blood cultures.
Thank you for your cooperation during the shortage. These measures support continued best practices in patient care.