To the Editor: While agreeing that sensible utilisation of pathology tests in emergency departments (EDs) is important, we are concerned that the article by Stuart et al1 might be misinterpreted to justify wholesale reductions in important diagnostic microbiological tests, particularly blood cultures. Stuart and colleagues imply they could safely reduce the number of blood cultures by 80%.1 Other local data have suggested a minority of blood cultures in the ED influence patient management.2
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