Validation of the Hospital for Sick Children Algorithm for Discriminating Bacteremia From Contaminants in Children With a Preliminary Positive Blood Culture

Methodology: 3.5/5
Usefulness: 2/5

Gravel J, et al. Ann Emerg Med. 2024 Nov;84(5):490-499. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2024.05.005.

Question and Methods: The authors aimed to validate the Sick Kids algorithm for distinguishing bacteremia from contaminants in pediatric ED patients with positive blood cultures.
Findings: The algorithm’s sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 11% respectively; suspicion for osteoarticular infection, internal hardware, Gram-negative bacteria or Gram-positive cocci in chains/pairs were strong predictors.
Limitations: Retrospective design; poor specificity with one-way application; the derived model lacks practicality.

Interpretation: The Sick Kids algorithm for positive blood culture can rule out bacteremia however poor specificity limits clinical application; a robustly developed tool is needed

Dr. Rajan Walia

JC Supervisor: Dr. Venkatesh Thiruganasambandamoorthy

Authors

Rajan Walia

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Hans Rosenberg

Dr. Rosenberg is an emergency physician at the Ottawa Hospital, associate professor at the University of Ottawa, and Director of the Digital Scholarship and Knowledge Dissemination Program.
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Venkatesh Thiruganasambandamoorthy

Dr. Venkatesh Thiruganasambandamoorthy is an attending physician and associate scientist at the Ottawa Hospital and Ottawa Hospital Research Institute with an particular interest in syncope and presyncope care.
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