Understanding reasons clinicians obtained endotracheal aspirate cultures and impact on patient management to inform diagnostic stewardship initiatives

Endotracheal aspirate cultures (EACs) are commonly obtained in the evaluation of suspected ventilator-associated infections (VAIs),1 an important cause of nosocomial infections.2 Over-utilization of EACs may contribute to over-treatment for VAI because EACs cannot distinguish between bacterial colonization and infection,3,4 and positive EAC results prompt treatment with antibiotics.1,5,6 There is site-specific variability of EAC utilization and...