Effectiveness of practices to Reduce Blood Culture Contamination rates in a community hospital: A Quality Improvement analysis.

Objectives: The study was conducted to identify the root causes of the blood culture contamination and to take necessary steps to decrease the prevalent high rates of blood culture contamination in the hospital. Methodology: The cumulative key performance indicators during the baseline period from 1-1-2020 to 1-7-2020 were tabulated. The authors developed a quality improvement action plan focusing on the use of training and educational tools to reduce blood culture contamination and then evaluate its effectiveness. The goal was to reduce the contamination rates below 3%. Pre- and post-intervention data were compared to evaluate the effectiveness of quality improvement practices. Results: During the phase 1 period (from 1st January 2020 to 30th July 2020), a total of 110 out of 1164 (9.4%) cultures were contaminated, which was high as per the laid down standards. During the post-intervention phase 2 period (from 1st August 2020 to 31st December 2020), fifteen out of 743 (2.07%) cultures were contaminated. There was a noticeable reduction in the contamination rate with the achievement of the primary target success criteria of less than 3%. Conclusion: Implementation of an action plan emphasizing strict attention to sterile blood culture collection technique and education, and staff training led to an immediate reduction of contamination in a hospital.