Use of the central venous pressure catheter to obtain blood cultures.

The results of aerobic and anaerobic blood cultures obtained from a peripheral venopuncture and from the central venous pressure catheter were compared in critically ill patients admitted to the ICU to determine if pain and anxiety from multiple venopunctures could be alleviated while the physician's task is facilitated. The results were identical in 93.5% of the 92 comparisons. The discrepancies were evaluated and it was concluded that the method was easy, quick, and reliable. We recommend it as a suitable alternative to venopuncture.