Influence of Culture Results on Management and Outcome of Pediatric Osteomyelitis and/or Septic Arthritis.

Children with uncomplicated osteomyelitis and/or septic arthritis were more likely (P < .01) to have positive focus than blood cultures. Those who grew a pathogen and/or started on a single antibiotic were more likely to be discharged on a single antibiotic, and those sent home on oral therapy had fewer adverse events.