"At two hospitals during the shortage, SEP-1 metric compliance declined related to BCx utilization. Review of cases where BCx were not obtained demonstrated most BCx were safely avoided without demonstrable patient harm" Ryder et al (2025).
Blood culture stewardship

Abstract:

Timely blood cultures (BCx) are required by SEP-1. The recent BCx bottle shortage necessitated enhanced BCx stewardship. At two hospitals during the shortage, SEP-1 metric compliance declined related to BCx utilization. Review of cases where BCx were not obtained demonstrated most BCx were safely avoided without demonstrable patient harm.

Reference:

Ryder JH, Cawcutt KA, Japp C, Van Schooneveld TC. Are SEP-1 and blood culture stewardship at odds? Retrospective review of SEP-1 failures pre- and during a blood culture bottle shortage. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2025 Dec 12:1-4. doi: 10.1017/ice.2025.10317. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41382991.