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HelpTest Code CXBLD Culture, Blood
Performing Laboratory
Hunterdon Medical Center Laboratory
Special Instructions
Positive findings are reported immediately to a licensed healthcare provider.
Note: Specimens must be labeled with patient label, or patient name and medical record number or date of birth. (Two identifiers required)
Include date and time of collection as well as the site of the draw and the initials of the collector on each set of blood cultures collected.
Special notes regarding Chlorascrub™ Swabstick. Do not use in the following circumstances:
1. In children less than 1 year of age because of potential skin irritation and increased drug absorbtion.
2. On patients with known allergies to chlorhexidine glucionate or isopropyl alcohol.
3. For lumbar puncture or in contact with meninges.
4. On open skin wounds or as a general skin cleanser.
Specimen Required
Collection Recommendations:
1. Adult: 2 bottle set, 20 ml draw, 10ml in each (aerobic and anaerobic) bottle.
2. Pediatric: 1-4ml in single pediatric collection bottle.
3. Acute sepsis: 2-3 sets from separate sites within 10 minutes.
4. Endocarditis, acute: 3 sets from 3 separate sites taken over 1-2 hours.
5. Endocarditis, subacute: 3 sets from 3 separate sites taken ≥15 min apart; if negative at 24 hours obtain 3 more sets.
6. Fever of unknown origin: 2-3 sets from separate sites ≥1 hour apart; if negative at 24 hours, obtain 2-3 more sets.
Collection technique:
1. Apply 70% isopropyl alcohol to rubber stopper on top of the blood culture bottle(s).
2. Leave in place until blood is ready to be injected into the vials.
3. Apply tourniquet to patient’s arm and palpate vein.
4. Remove tourniquet.
5. Clean site with Chlorascrub™ Swabstick:
a. Peel apart the pouch and remove swabstick from package.,
b. Place one flat side of foam tip to skin site and prep the skin in vigorous back and forth strokes for one minute.Turn the swabstick over and repeat the procedure for one minute.
c. Allow the prepped area to dry for one and one half minutes. DO NOT blot or wipe dry.
d. Discard Chlorascrub™ after single use.
6. Reapply tourniquet and perform venipuncture without re-palpating vein.,
Collection Methods:
1. Vacutainer adapter with butterfly: fill aerobic bottle first followed by anaerobic bottle. Using the gradations on the bottle, carefully measure 10 ml of blood into each bottle.
2. Needle and syringe: Do not change needle. Inoculate anaerobic bottle first followed by aerobic bottle.
3. Butterfly and syringe: Draw blood into syringe. Carefully remove the butterfly from the syringe and replace with a sterile needle. DO NOT touch the syringe tip with fingers. Inoculate anaerobic bottle followed by aerobic bottle.
4. Pediatric patients: collect blood and inoculate one pediatric bottle.
5. Under NO circumstances should blood be collected by direct draw using only a vacutainer adapter. This poses a threat to the safety of the patient.
Specimen Type
Blood, collected aseptically into appropriate BD BACTEC™ bottles:
Routine Cultures:
BD BACTEC™ Plus Aerobic/F
BD BACTEC™ Lytic/10 Anaerobic/F Medium
Pediatric Cultures:
BD BACTEC Peds Plus™/F Medium
Note: Only the BACTEC bottles can be accepted.
Specimen Transport Temperature
Ambient: Deliver within 2 hours.
Specimen Stability Information
Ambient: 24 hours.
Reject Due To
Unlabeled, cracked or broken bottles.
Specimens that are sub-optimal due to insufficient volume or were received after a prolonged delay (≥12 hours), will not be rejected but will be issued with a notation in the report.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Reference Values
Negative after 5 days.
Method Name
Bactec FX Culture System