Blood cultures for women hospitalized with acute pelvic inflammatory disease. Are they necessary?

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence of positive blood cultures and if the results affect the clinical management or the duration of hospital stay in patients with acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

STUDY

DESIGN

Retrospective study of all patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of acute PID from January 1, 1996, to December 31, 1997.

RESULTS

Of 93 patients in the study, 3 had significant bacterial growth from blood culture specimens. The results of blood culture specimens did not affect clinical management.

CONCLUSION

Routine specimens for blood culture may not be needed from patients hospitalized with acute PID.