Determination of Quality Control of Blood Culture Contamination of Cancer Patient with Sepsis: A Retrospective Study at Dr. B. Barooah Cancer Institute

Sonia Kindo

Abstract: Background: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised cancer patients. Blood culture is the gold-standard diagnostic test for BSI, but yields may be compromised by contamination. A contaminated culture (false-positive) can trigger unnecessary antibiotics and adversely affect patient care, thereby optimizing antibiotic stewardship in critical patient management. The study aims to determine the prevalence of blood culture contamination and evaluate quarterly trends of contamination among cancer patients with sepsis. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology at Dr. B. Barooah Cancer Institute (BBCI), Guwahati, Assam from January-December 2025. A total of 2565 blood culture samples received from patients were included in the study. Blood cultures were processed using standard microbiological techniques and interpreted according to Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Organisms commonly associated with skin flora, including coagulase-negative staphylococci, Micrococcus spp., Bacillus spp., and diphtheroids, were considered contaminants when supported by microbiological and clinical findings. Quarterly contamination rates were calculated and compared using chi-square analysis. Results: The study period was divided into four quarters to assess temporal trends in contamination rates. Among 2565 blood culture samples processed, 104 yielded positive growth. 56 isolates were identified as contaminants, while 48 were classified as true bloodstream infections. Quarter-wise analysis demonstrated variation in the number of contaminated isolates throughout the year. The highest contamination rate occurred in July-September, with 24 contaminated samples out of 763 cultures processed (3.15%). This was followed by October-December (12/649; 1.85%), April-June (11/603; 1.82%), and January-March (9/550; 1.64%). Data were entered in Microsoft Excel and analyzed and the test yielded ??(3) = 4.68, p = 0.197, indicating no statistically significant difference across quarters. Conclusion: Blood culture contamination remains an important quality concern in oncology healthcare settings despite contamination rates remaining near recommended limits overall. Increased contamination during specific quarters highlights the influence of procedural compliance, staff competency, and adherence to aseptic blood collection protocols, regular surveillance, and periodic quality audits are essential to further reduce contamination rates and improve diagnostic accuracy and patient care outcomes.

Keywords: Blood culture contamination, bloodstream infection, oncology patient, sepsis, aseptic technique, clinical microbiology, quality control, hospital infection surveillance

How to Cite?: Sonia Kindo, "Determination of Quality Control of Blood Culture Contamination of Cancer Patient with Sepsis: A Retrospective Study at Dr. B. Barooah Cancer Institute", Volume 15 Issue 8, August 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1978-1985, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26827211508, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26827211508

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