ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical diagnosis and characteristics of 261 patients with positive blood culture, as well as value of related clinical factors in the diagnosis of bacteremia.MethodsClinical data of 261 patients with positive blood culture in a hospital from October 2010 to February 2013 were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsOf 261 patients, 204(78.16%) cases of bacteremia were confirmed,but positive blood culture of the other cases (57, 21.84%) were confirmed to be caused by contamination of blood specimens. Positive blood culture result was the independent factor for bacteremia, independent factors of bacteremia in several diseases were as follows: in urinary system diseases were age ≥60 years(OR=8.87, P=0.04), temperature ≥39℃ (OR=10.98, P=0.03) and indwelling urethral catheterization (OR=11.99, P=0.02); in cerebrovascular diseases were length of hospital stay ≥10 days（OR=8.72, P=0.04） and use of central venous catheter (OR=5.46, P=0.02）;in diseases of gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary system were disorder of consciousness (OR=10.38, P=0.03） and leukocyte count ≥15.0×109/L(OR=5.58, P=0.02）.ConclusionClinical factors in the diagnostic value of positive blood culture are different among various diseases; proper clinical factors combining primary disease characteristics for correct assessment of positive blood culture result has important clinical significance.