Blood culture pathway: how nurses can improve their practice

A lead sepsis nurse explains 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.

What role do nurses play in the blood culture pathway?

Nurses play a vital role in the blood culture