JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association
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Meta Analysis
Transparent polyurethane film as an intravenous catheter dressing. A meta-analysis of the infection risks.
To obtain a quantitative estimate of the impact on infectious complications of using transparent dressings with intravenous catheters. ⋯ The results demonstrated a significantly increased risk of catheter-tip infection with the use of transparent compared with gauze dressings when used with either central or peripheral catheters. An increased risk of bacteremia and catheter sepsis associated with the use of transparent compared with gauze dressings for use on central venous catheters was suggested.
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Rapid classification of positive blood cultures. Prospective validation of a multivariate algorithm.
To develop and validate a model predicting whether a positive blood culture represents a true positive or a contaminant in hospitalized patients, using only information available when the initial culture result becomes available. ⋯ This model can help clinicians quantify the likelihood that a given positive blood culture represents a true positive when the laboratory first calls, which may be helpful in subsequent decision making.