BSI
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | Bloodstream infection |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Medical |
BSI has two meanings. It stands for Bloodstream infection (infectious disease) or Body substance isolation (emergency medicine).
Meanings of BSI at a glance
| # | BSI stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bloodstream infection | Medical › Infectious Disease |
| 2 | Body substance isolation | Medical › Emergency Medicine |
1. Bloodstream infection
Medical · Infectious Disease Abbreviations
Infection in which bacteria or fungi are found in blood cultures with corresponding illness. Surveillance divides BSIs into primary infections, often related to central lines, and secondary infections that seed the blood from another site such as the urinary tract or lungs.
Example: Secondary BSI from pyelonephritis, E. coli in 2 of 2 bottles; not attributed to the PICC line.
Hospitals track laboratory-confirmed BSIs under CDC National Healthcare Safety Network rules, which determine whether an infection counts as a central line-associated bloodstream infection. Two positive cultures are required for common skin organisms such as coagulase-negative staphylococci, but one suffices for recognized pathogens like S. aureus.
2. Body substance isolation
Medical · Emergency Medicine Abbreviations
EMS term for protective measures, such as gloves, eye protection and masks, taken to avoid contact with blood and body fluids. EMT skill sheets traditionally begin with "BSI, scene safe".
Example: BSI donned, scene safe, single patient, no additional resources needed.
Hospitals now call this approach standard precautions, a CDC term from 1996. Many EMS educators teach "PPE" instead of BSI. In infectious disease BSI means bloodstream infection.
Related abbreviations
More infectious disease abbreviations
- ARF – Acute rheumatic fever
- ART – Antiretroviral therapy
- ASP – Antimicrobial stewardship program
- BCG – Bacillus Calmette-Guérin
- C. diff – Clostridioides difficile
- CD4 – Cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4 T-cell count)
- CDI – Clostridioides difficile infection
- CMV – Cytomegalovirus
See all 92 infectious disease abbreviations →
More emergency medicine abbreviations
- ATLS – Advanced Trauma Life Support
- BIBA – Brought in by ambulance
- BIBEMS – Brought in by emergency medical services
- BLS – Basic life support
- BVM – Bag-valve-mask
- CAB – Compressions, airway, breathing
- CCT – Critical care transport
- CMO – Comfort measures only
See all 97 emergency medicine abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.