Sites of blood collection and topical disinfectants associated with contaminated cultures: An ambidirectional cohort study

Abstract Background We aimed to determine whether puncture sites for blood sampling and topical disinfectants are associated with rates of contaminated blood cultures in the emergency department (ED) of a single institution. Methods This single‐center, ambidirectional cohort study of 548 consecutive patients ≥20 years of age was performed in the ED of a university hospital in Japan over a 13‐month period. Pairs of blood samples were collected for aerobic and anaerobic cultures from patients in the ED. Physicians selected puncture sites and topical disinfectants according to their personal preference. Results Potential contamination was identified in 110 of the 548 patients (20.1%). One hundred fourteen (20.8%) patients showed true‐positive results for bacteremia, and 324 (59.1%) patients showed true‐negative results. Multivariate analysis revealed more frequent contamination when puncture sites were disinfected with povidone‐iodine (PVI) than with alcohol/chlorhexidine (ACHX) (adjusted risk difference, 19.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI]), 15.7–22.6; p < 0.001). In terms of blood collection sites, femoral and central venous (CV) catheter with PVI disinfection showed more frequent contamination than venous sites with ACHX (adjusted risk differences: 26.6%, 95% CI 21.3–31.9, p < 0.001 and 41.1%, 95% CI 22.2–59.9, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion Rates of contaminated blood cultures were significantly higher when blood was collected from the CV catheter or femoral sites with PVI as the topical disinfectant

Massive hemothorax due to two bleeding sources with minor injury mechanism: a case report

Abstract Background Massive hemothorax resulting from a minor injury mechanism is considered to be rare particularly when the diaphragm is injured. We report a case of massive hemothorax with bleeding from the intercostal artery and diaphragmatic damage caused by minor blunt trauma. Case presentation An 83-year-old Japanese man was transported to our hospital 3 hours after falling out of bed. Computed tomography revealed hemothorax and multiple rib fractures. He underwent fluid resuscitation and a tube thoracostomy, but he became hemodynamically unstable. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed worsening hemothorax with contrast extravasation 4 hours after arrival at the hospital. Emergency angiography indicated hemorrhage in the area supplied by the tenth intercostal artery. Transcatheter arterial embolization stabilized his vital signs for a short period. However, further hemodynamic stabilization required a thoracotomy, which revealed diaphragmatic trauma, which was removed and sutured before fixing his fractured ribs. His postoperative course was uneventful, and he was transferred to another hospital for rehabilitation without complications on hospital day 29. Conclusions Minor mechanisms of blunt trauma can cause rib fractures and massive hemothorax. Traumatic diaphragm injury should be considered a differential diagnosis if hemodynamic instability persists after transcatheter arterial embolization in patients with lower level rib fractures