In catheter-related bloodstream infections, antibiotics are typically started after cultures are obtained.

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Preserving diagnostic accuracy by obtaining cultures before starting therapy is the main idea here. In catheter-related bloodstream infections, blood cultures should be drawn prior to antibiotics so the lab can identify the organism and determine susceptibilities. Antibiotics are started after cultures are obtained to ensure accurate culture results guide therapy. If a patient is severely ill, antibiotics may be initiated after cultures have been drawn, but never before drawing cultures when possible, to avoid sterilizing cultures and losing crucial information about the pathogen.