Growth of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CONS) in 1 out of 2 sets of blood cultures usually represents skin contamination; however, growth in 2 of 2 sets in the presence of symptoms and signs of bloodstream infection (e.g. fever, hypotension) in the appropriate clinical setting (suspicion of central line or surgical site infection) likely represents a bloodstream infection and warrants antimicrobial therapy similar to S. aureus
