Nursing Grand Rounds: Best Practices for Blood Culture led by ER

Tuesday, December 2, 2025, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Auditorium H and WebEx, Lebanon, NH

ANCC Nursing Contact Hours (1.00 hours), General Attendance (1.00 hours)

Join the Emergency Department, in collaboration with Laboratory Medicine, for an in-depth presentation on best practices in blood culture collection. This session will highlight a nursing-led pilot initiative within the ED focused on reducing blood culture contamination through the implementation of Initial Specimen Diversion Devices (ISDDs). Participants will gain insight into the development and execution of the pilot, including staff training on evidence-based collection techniques, hands-on instruction in ISDD utilization, and the ongoing support provided to ensure adherence to proper procedures. This presentation will share outcomes, lessons learned, and the impact of this initiative on improving blood culture integrity and overall patient care.

Presenters

Taylor Del Monte, MBA, MSN, RN
Nurse Educator
Emergency Department
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center

Abigail Johnston, MS
Manager
Laboratory Medicine
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center

Nisalda Carreiro, BS
Supervisor
Laboratory Section
Microbiology
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center

Click HERE to join WebEx
Meeting number (access code): 2333 840 8369
Meeting password: Ceygu6PAd42

1. Explain the tenets of the Donabedian model, including how use of this model provides RNs the opportunity to define and measure their practice as it relates to patient quality outcomes.
2. Discuss the importance of Initial Specimen Diversion Devices (ISDDs) in reducing blood culture contamination rates.
3. Describe how the use of ISDDs contributes to improved patient safety and quality outcomes.

In support of improving patient care, Dartmouth Health is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. 

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Dartmouth Health designates this Live Activity for a maximum of 1.00 ANCC contact hour. 

All other learners may claim General Attendance credit. Consult your professional licensing board regarding the applicability and acceptance of General Attendance credit for programs certified for credit by organizations accredited by Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Education.

Registration/Requirements for Successful Completion

Pre-registration is not required.

The following steps must be completed in order to receive credit for this event:

1. Attend the event or session(s).

2. Text the Activity Code displayed at the session to 833-884-3375 within 48 hours of the session.

3. Complete the evaluation within 30 days of the activity.

MOBILE SIGN-IN ATTENDANCE TRACKING: You must have a Continuing Education for Professionals account with your mobile number included to be able to sign-in electronically. If you do not have a Continuing Education for Professional account, go to https://dh.cloud-cme.com to create an account prior to the activity.

Provider Contact Information
Provider contact information for questions regarding accreditation of the activity:

Center for Learning and Professional Development
ACE Office
Dartmouth Health
[email protected]

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

Dartmouth Health adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education.  Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including planners, faculty, authors, or others are required to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies^.  All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

^Ineligible Company is any entity whose primary business purpose is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.