Assessing the impact of introducing a satellite blood culture incubator within a tertiary neonatal unit on length of hospital stay

Timely recognition and treatment of early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) reduces mortality and morbidity. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends early initiation of antibiotics in babies with suspected EONS based on a framework of risk factors and clinical indicators. For babies commenced on treatment, clinicians may consider stopping antibiotics in clinically well babies if blood cultures (BCs) at 36 hours are negative and C-reactive protein levels are reassuring (<10 mg/L).1 Non-availability of BC results at 36 hours may prolong hospital stay in clinically well babies who are receiving antibiotics. Barriers to obtaining results at 36 hours include delayed transportation of samples to the laboratory (due to variable collection times and availability of porters transporting samples) and …