Opposition to Routine Abscess Culturing

Originated as CR18 and approved by the ACEP Board of Directors as a policy statement October 2012

The treating emergency physician is the clinician most appropriate to determine the necessity of antibiotic therapy and/or cultures in the management of abscesses in emergency department patients.

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) opposes the recommendation and/or requirement that all abscesses with cellulitis treated with antibiotics be cultured.

ACEP opposes federal or state legislation and/or regulation that requires an attending physician to be the person who contacts and notifies patients of positive cultures.