| 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, Adult
Test Code123620104903
Alias/See Also
Blood
C BLD
Culture
Culture BLD
C BLD
Culture
Culture BLD
CPT Codes
87040
Preferred Specimen
Whole blood in blood culture vials
Other Acceptable Specimens
Whole blood in a Bactec aerobic or anaerobic vial
Instructions
1. Disinfect blood culture bottles and discard tube (if using) by rubbing stoppers with 70% alcohol and allowing it to dry.
2. Cleanse the venipuncture site with 70 % isopropyl alcohol for 30 seconds, allow to dry
3. Remove the ChloraPrep® applicator from package; do not touch sponge. Hold the applicator horizontally with the sponge down, pinch wings only once to activate the ampule and release the antiseptic. Wet the sponge by repeatedly pressing and releasing the sponge against treatment area until liquid is visible on the skin. Use repeated back-and-forth strokes for 30 seconds. Completely wet the venipuncture site and allow to air dry for 30 seconds. Do not blot or wipe away.
4. Perform venipuncture. A butterfly set works best for collection and is the recommended device to use. If using a discard tube, insert the tube onto the needle and withdraw 0.5 - 1 ml of blood, discard the tube after collection.
5. Inoculate blood cultures bottles in the following order: aerobic, anaerobic, (if ordered) and any other blood work is collected last.
6. Mix bottles gently after filling.
7. Appropriately label each specimen, documenting date, time, site of collection (peripheral vs line draw), and collector ID on each label. Do not cover the Bactec bottle barcode with the label.
8. Transport blood cultures to the lab as soon as possible, within 2 hours of collection. Hold samples at room temperature.
2. Cleanse the venipuncture site with 70 % isopropyl alcohol for 30 seconds, allow to dry
3. Remove the ChloraPrep® applicator from package; do not touch sponge. Hold the applicator horizontally with the sponge down, pinch wings only once to activate the ampule and release the antiseptic. Wet the sponge by repeatedly pressing and releasing the sponge against treatment area until liquid is visible on the skin. Use repeated back-and-forth strokes for 30 seconds. Completely wet the venipuncture site and allow to air dry for 30 seconds. Do not blot or wipe away.
4. Perform venipuncture. A butterfly set works best for collection and is the recommended device to use. If using a discard tube, insert the tube onto the needle and withdraw 0.5 - 1 ml of blood, discard the tube after collection.
5. Inoculate blood cultures bottles in the following order: aerobic, anaerobic, (if ordered) and any other blood work is collected last.
6. Mix bottles gently after filling.
7. Appropriately label each specimen, documenting date, time, site of collection (peripheral vs line draw), and collector ID on each label. Do not cover the Bactec bottle barcode with the label.
8. Transport blood cultures to the lab as soon as possible, within 2 hours of collection. Hold samples at room temperature.
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 48 hours
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Improper specimen collection, storage, and transport
Specimen refrigerated
Blood culture bottle received cracked or broken
Inadequate quantity
Specimen refrigerated
Blood culture bottle received cracked or broken
Inadequate quantity
Reference Range
No growth
Performing Laboratory
Guthrie Clinic Lab
Corning Hospital Lab
Troy Hospital Lab
GMG Laboratory at Towanda
Cortland Medical Center Lab
