Nurses’ often underestimated role in the blood culture pathway and how consistent best practice improves patient care

Improving the blood culture pathway – in which blood cultures are collected, transported and analysed – is essential in ensuring the best outcomes for patients with sepsis and providing the most effective antimicrobial stewardship programmes, says NHS England. Through adherence to microbiology standards, the detection of significant bloodstream infection in the population can be substantially improved, it says in recent guidance. Each significant positive blood culture provides an opportunity to improve patient care.