Blood cultures for women hospitalized with acute pelvic inflammatory disease - Are they necessary?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of positive blood cultures and if the results affect the clinical management or the duration of hospital stay in patients with acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of all patients hospitalized with a diagn osis of acute PID from January 1, 1996, to December 31, 1997. RESULTS: Of 93 patients in the study, 3 had significant bacterial growth fr om blood culture specimens. The results of blood culture specimens did not affect clinical management. CONCLUSION: Routine specimens for blood culture may not be needed from pati ents hospitalized with acute PID.