Clinical impact of BioFire Blood Culture Identification 2 implementation in patients with <i>Staphylococcus</i> bacteremia

PCR-based blood culture testing with concurrent antimicrobial stewardship program review continues to facilitate the initiation of pathogen-targeted antimicrobials in a shorter amount of time compared to traditional methods. The initiation of pathogen-targeted antimicrobials compared to non-pathogen-targeted antimicrobials has been shown to improve clinical outcomes in bloodstream infections caused by specific pathogens (e.g., methicillin-susceptible <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> [MSSA]). Additionally, the adverse effects of vancomycin may be decreased with a shorter duration in blood culture contamination caused by coagulase-negative <i>Staphylococcus</i> species. This retrospective study evaluated the amount of time BCID2 results with pharmacist review and intervention reduced time to pathogen-targeted antimicrobials in MSSA, and time to discontinuation in blood culture contamination by coagulase-negative <i>Staphylococcus</i> species. Secondary outcomes mainly evaluated the clinical effects of these interventions.