Blood Culture Results Before and After Antimicrobial Administration in Patients With Severe Manifestations of Sepsis

Background: Administering antimicrobial agents before obtaining blood cultures could potentially decrease time to treatment and improve outcomes, but it is unclear how this strategy affects diagnostic sensitivity. Objective: To determine the sensitivity of blood cultures obtained shortly after initiation of antimicrobial therapy in patients with severe manifestations of sepsis. Design: Patient-level, single-group, diagnostic study....