A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

BLOOD CULTURE

Message
Performed at Upper Chesapeake Health


Test Code
BC


Includes
Includes isolation and identification of both aeobic and anaerobic microorganisms and susceptibility testing on all significant aerobic isolates.


Preferred Specimen
Adult:
10 mL blood in BactecTM Plus Aerobic/F (blue) culture vial and 10 mL of blood in a BactecTM LYTIC/10 Anaerobic (purple) culture vial. Do not overfill.
Note:  If insufficient blood volume to innoculate both aerobic and anaerobic vials, innoculate aerobic vial.  Specific site of draw, date, time of draw, and collector's initials should be written on the bottle.

Pediatric:
3.5 mL of blood ina BACTEC TM PEDS PLUS (pink) culture vial.  Do not overfill. Specific site of draw, date, time of draw, and collector's initials should be written on the bottle.

 


Instructions

Selection of a venipuncture site:

  1. Check to see if the patient has any known allergies or any special drawing circumstances (i.e. grafts, fistulas or mastectomies).
  2. Remember that blood should not be drawn above an IV site.
  3. Assemble all appropriate equipment, keeping in mind the collection criteria for adults verses pediatric patients.
  4. Wash hands with approved waterless product or soap and water.
  5. Put gloves on.
  6. Apply the tourniquet to the patient, 3-5 inches above the elbow.
  7. Palpate the area to find a good venipuncture site.
  8. Release the tourniquet, once a venipuncture site is selected.

Preparation of selected venipuncture site

  1. Chlorascrub TM Swabstick
    1.          Peel apart the pouch to expose the swabstick and remove the swabstick from the package.  DO NOT touch the foam tip.
    2.          Apply the swabstick to the procedure site. Place one flat side of the foam tip to the skin and move the swab vigorously back and forth in repeated strokes for 1 minute.
    3.          Turn the swabstick over using the unused side of the foam tip and repeat above for 1 minute.
      4. Allow the site to dry completely for one and half minutes. Do not blot, wipe away or blow on the site while it is drying.  DO NOT touch or palpate the selected area after cleansing it.  Discard the swabstick after using it.

For patients under 2 months of age:

  1. Scrub the site using an alcohol pad, working outward from the venipuncture site in a circular motion.
  2. After the alcohol prep, scrub the site suing a betadine swabstick outward from the venipuncture site in a circular motion.
  3. The betadine should be allowed to dry. Do not blot, wipe away or blow on the site while drying.
  4. Do not touch or palpate the selected area after cleansing it.
  5. For patients with an iodine sensitivity, perform an alcohol scrub twice, using a fresh pad each time and allowing the site to air dry completely each time.

Preparation of Blood Culture Bottles

  1. Remove flip off caps from the blood culture bottles
  2.    Inspect each bottle for the presence of any cracks. Check the septum for any bulging or indention.
    3.   The septum on top of each bottle should be wiped with a separate newly opened alcohol prep pad. Allow the alcohol to dry before proceeding.

Blood Collection

  1. Re-apply a tourniquet above the selected venipuncture site.
  2. Insert a “butterfly” needle into the prepped vein and then stick the needle on the opposite end of the “butterfly set into the aerobic blood culture bottle. Monitor the blood flow into the bottle until 8-10 mL has been collected.
  3. Remove the needle from the bottle in order to stop the flow of blood.
  4. If a complete set is required, insert the needle into the anaerobic bottle and collect 8-10 mL of blood. Stop the blood flow by removing the needle from the bottle.
  5. Loosen the tourniquet from the patient’s arm.
  6. Remove the needle from the patient’s arm and cover the site with sterile gauze. Apply pressure until the bleeding has stopped.
  7. Invert each bottle 1-3 times
  8. After the patient has stopped bleeding, apply new sterile gauze to the puncture site. Use paper tape to hold the gauze in place, especially for elderly patients.
  9. Discard the butterfly needle set into a puncture resistant biohazardous container.

There cannot be any manual manipulation of needles such as recapping, purposeful bending, breaking, or removing the barrel before discarding into the puncture resistant container. 
 

 



Transport Container
BACTEC VIALS


Transport Temperature
Ambient


Setup Schedule


Monday through Sunday




Limitations
A.   Improper cleansing and disinfection of venipuncture site and rubber septum on
      blood culture vials may be sources of contamination leading to false positive blood cultures.
B.  Touching a previously disinfected site with anything non-sterile may be a source of contamination.
C.  Overfilling the bottle beyond the recommended fill could result in false growth index readings on the instrument resulting in a false-positive culture.
D.  Reduced volumes of blood could delay the detection of positive blood cultures.
E.  Contamination may be an issue if blood cultures are collected through indwelling IV lines. 


Reference Range
No growth




The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.