Procalcitonin for Safe Reduction of Unnecessary Blood Cultures in the Emergency Department: Development and Validation of a Prediction Model

Blood cultures (BCs) are commonly ordered in emergency departments (EDs), while a minority yields a relevant pathogen. Diagnostic stewardship is needed to safely reduce unnecessary BCs. We aimed to develop and validate a bacteremia prediction model for ED patients, with specific focus on the benefit of incorporating procalcitonin.