Recent studies
Webinars
Developing a Culture of Quality, Accountability and Best Practices to Reduce Blood Culture Contamination
Dr. Cynthia Rowell, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, CNO at AdventHealth Riverview Dr. John Voight, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CNO at Memorial Hermann Health Michele Szkolnick, M.Ed, BSN, RN, FACHE, FACMPE, CNO at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Moderated by Molly Hough, BSN, RN, CCRN, VP of Clinical Operations at Kurin
This session will explore how integrating diversion devices within a structured, team-based approach is vital to reduce contamination rates, improve stewardship, and enhance overall quality of care. Panelists will share effective strategies for fostering strong collaboration between acute care facilities and supporting partners to design effective training, align teams, and sustain performance improvements.
Changing the ED's Cultures: Why Accuracy Makes a Difference Clinically and Financially
Online
Kathleen Vollman, MSN, RN, CCNS, FCCM, FCNS, FAAN, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Brandon Walsh, BSN, RN, CEN, ED Nurse and Staff Educator
This webinar examines the clinical and financial impact of blood culture contamination and the factors that contribute to contamination risk. Attendees will learn how frontline practices, standardized processes, and emerging technologies can support quality improvement initiatives and improve patient outcomes. The session will also highlight strategies for effective interdisciplinary collaboration to drive sustainable quality improvements across healthcare settings.
A System Wide Adoption of Passive Diversion to Reduce Blood Culture Contamination
Online
Join Jeannie Burnie, MSN, RN, CNS, CEN, Clinical Nurse Specialist and Senior Education Manager for the Emergency Department at TriHealth’s Bethesda North Hospital, as she shares the essential components of building and sustaining a successful blood culture collection program.
Drawing on her extensive frontline and leadership experience, Jeannie will outline the strategies, education, and collaboration required to achieve lasting reductions in contamination and diagnostic accuracy. Under her guidance, all six of the TriHealth emergency departments have earned the ENA Lantern Award, recognizing excellence in emergency nursing practice and innovation.
Reducing Blood Culture Contamination: A Roadmap for Improvement
Online
Fiona Winterbottom, DNP, MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC, ACHPN, CCRN
Renowned clinical nurse specialist, Fiona Winterbottom, explores the clinical and financial impact of blood culture contamination and outlining actionable steps hospitals can take to reduce contamination rates through a structured improvement plan.
Better Cultures, Better Outcomes: Optimizing Blood Cultures to Improve Infection Reporting
Online
Kathleen Vollman, MSN, RN, CCNS, FCCM, FAAN
Clinical nurse specialist, Kathleen Vollman, offers an evidence-based presentation focused on improving blood culture practices to reduce CLABSIs and Hospital-Onset Fungemia and Bacteremia (HOB) rates.
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Video
Cry Wolf: Consequences of false positive blood cultures
Clinical experts explain the consequences of blood culture contamination.
Fast Facts
Method of collection
Direct venipuncture results in fewer contaminated blood cultures.
Snyder SR. Clin Biochem. 201263
1%
In 2022, the CDC acknowledged, "when best practices are followed, a target contamination rate of 1% is achievable."
CDC. 202231
Increased LOS
Patients with contaminated blood cultures had a mean LOS of 12.3 days vs. 11.5 days for those with negative cultures. The mean duration of antibiotic therapy was 6.0 days vs. 5.2 days.
Liaquat S, et al.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 202157
FDA-indicated
FDA 510(k) Indication Number K220677 clears Kurin's 0.15 mL diversion volume as sufficient to significantly reduce BCC.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2023).
510(k) Summary: K22067764