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Use and Quality of Blood Cultures for the Diagnosis of Bloodstream Infections: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Ho Teaching Hospital, Ghana, 2019–2021

Author

Listed:
  • Emily Boakye-Yiadom

    (Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho PMB 31, Volta Region, Ghana
    Laboratory Department, Ho Teaching Hospital, Ho P.O. Box MA 374, Volta Region, Ghana)

  • Robinah Najjemba

    (Independent Public Health Consultant, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Pruthu Thekkur

    (International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 68 Boulevard Saint Michel, 75006 Paris, France)

  • Appiah-Korang Labi

    (Ghana Country Office, World Health Organization, 7 Ameda Street, Roman Ridge, Accra P.O. Box MB 142, Ghana)

  • Julita Gil-Cuesta

    (Luxembourg Operational Research Unit, Operational Centre Brussels, Médecins Sans Frontières, Rue Arbre Benit 46, 1050 Brussels, Belgium)

  • Karikari Asafo-Adjei

    (Laboratory Department, Ho Teaching Hospital, Ho P.O. Box MA 374, Volta Region, Ghana)

  • Prosper Mensah

    (Laboratory Department, Ho Teaching Hospital, Ho P.O. Box MA 374, Volta Region, Ghana)

  • Elburg van Boetzelaer

    (Luxembourg Operational Research Unit, Médecins Sans Frontières, 68 Rue de Gasperich, L-1617 Luxembourg, Luxembourg)

  • Nasreen S. Jessani

    (Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Tygerburg 7505, South Africa
    Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Verner Ndudri Orish

    (Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho PMB 31, Volta Region, Ghana
    Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Ho Teaching Hospital, Ho P.O. Box MA 374, Volta Region, Ghana)

Abstract

Blood Culture and Drug Susceptibility Testing (CDST) remains vital for the diagnosis and management of bloodstream infections (BSIs). While the Ghana National Standard Treatment Guidelines require CDST to be performed in each case of suspected or clinically diagnosed BSI, these are poorly adhered to in the Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH). This study used secondary medical and laboratory records to describe blood CDST requests by clinicians and the quality of CDST processes for the diagnosis of BSI among patients admitted to HTH from 2019 to 2021. Of 4278 patients, 33% were infants. Pneumonia and neonatal sepsis cases were 40% and 22%, respectively. Only 8% (351/4278) had blood CDST requested. Of 94% (329/351) blood CDST processed and reported, only 7% (22/329) were culture-positive, with likely contaminants being recovered from 16% (52/329) of the specimens. The duration from admission to request was 2 days (IQR: 0–5), and Further qualitative studies must be conducted to understand the reasons for low blood CDST utilisation among clinicians and the patient outcomes. Targeted interventions are required to enhance the utilisation of blood CDST by clinicians and the quality of laboratory processes.

Suggested Citation

  • Emily Boakye-Yiadom & Robinah Najjemba & Pruthu Thekkur & Appiah-Korang Labi & Julita Gil-Cuesta & Karikari Asafo-Adjei & Prosper Mensah & Elburg van Boetzelaer & Nasreen S. Jessani & Verner Ndudri Or, 2023. "Use and Quality of Blood Cultures for the Diagnosis of Bloodstream Infections: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Ho Teaching Hospital, Ghana, 2019–2021," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(17), pages 1-16, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:17:p:6631-:d:1223306
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