Should Routine Throat Cultures Be Done in Hospital Personnel Complaining of a Sore Throat?

Abstract

In a 750-bed community-teaching hospital with 3,200 employees, throat cultures were routinely done in hospital personnel complaining of a sore throat. During a 3-month period, 323 employees had throat cultures; only 20 (6.2%) of these throat cultures grew group A streptococcus. The prevalence of positive throat cultures was similarly low in employees (6.2%) and adult patients (7.3%). There was no evidence that employees either had higher prevalence of group A streptococcal pharyngitis or that they spread the infection to patients. It is concluded that routine throat cultures are not warranted in employees complaining of a sore throat, and that throat cultures should be done only selectively in hospital personnel with a high probability of group A streptococcal pharyngitis.

Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis in Hospital Personnel

“…We acknowledge that these patients usnally need beon Blood/Body Fluid Precautions only as per CDC tiuidelines. 1 '-' However, the anxiety elicited by posting the obligatory sign is significant. The alarm feit by the roommate and liis family/friends is such that it is ölten simpler to use the Isolation rooms when available.…”

“…These values are signiHcantly different (P<0.005) from the reported value of 6.2% positive cultures. 1 Streptococcal pharyngitis is usually associated with tonsillar erythema, or exudate; fever; or enlarged anterior cervical nodes. 2 The American Heart Association (AHA) lists tender anterior cervical lymph nodes, pharyngeal exudate and scarlatiniform rash as clinical signs suggestive of streptococcal infection.…”

Amniotic Membranes for Burn Wounds

“…Regarding the request for references on the topic of use of amniotic membranes for burn wound surfaces (Letter to the Editor, August 1985), 1 Dr. Baddour and others may find useful a short article on the subject with pictures of the handling and preparation of harvested membrane, in …”

Sore Throat Culturing in Community Hospital Staff

“…Regarding the request for references on the topic of use of amniotic membranes for burn wound surfaces (Letter to the Editor, August 1985), 1 Dr. Baddour and others may find useful a short article on the subject with pictures of the handling and preparation of harvested membrane, in the April 1985 issue of the American Journal of Nursing. The article can be found in the Wound Care Forum section, written by P. Bower, RN, Vascular Nurse Clinician, Milwaukee County Medical Complex.…”