Introduction:

the poor management of the results of microbiological cultures has a negative impact on patient safety due to the misuse of antibiotics. The aim of this study is to analyze the follow-up of the results of the microbiological results in an Emergency Department of Pediatrics and its impact on treatment decisions.

Patients and methods:

a retrospective descriptive study was conducted by reviewing microbiological results and medical records of children from 0 to 15 years assisted in the Emergency Department in the period of one year.

Results:

921 tests were requested corresponding to 837 patients, mostly urine cultures (45.2%), blood cultures (19%) and stool cultures (14.6%). Laboratory reported 246 microorganisms, mainly bacteria (91%). Antimicrobials were prescribed to 333 patients. After the reviewing of the microbiological results, treatment was modified in 109 (13%) patients: 96 interruptions, 3 changes and 10 new prescriptions. The results were reported to 381 patients, 218 in the positive results group and 163 in the negative results group. The urine culture was the sample involved in 63% of therapeutic modifications.

Conclusions:

monitoring of microbiological tests on patients attending emergency department and modification of antimicrobial treatments prescribed may improve the use of antimicrobials in the Emergency Departments.

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