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Culture, Blood
Message
Test Code
CPT Codes
87040
Preferred Specimen
1. A total of 3 cultures per 24 hours is usually sufficient to rule out bacteremia or endocarditis.
2. Larger volumes may be more productive and are recommended for patients already on antimicrobial therapy.
3. If possible, draw blood below an existing intravenous line to prevent dilution of blood with infusion fluid.
4. If <4 mL of blood is obtained, inoculate entire specimen into 1 aerobic (blue-topped) bottle. Clean any blood from bottle’s top and sides.
5. Label bottle with patient’s name (first and last) and date and actual time of collection (do not cover the barcode label on the Versatrek label).
Note: 1. Specimen source is required. 2. Indicate whether patient is on antibiotics and include suspected diagnosis. 3. Factors directly influencing culture results include most importantly the volume of blood cultured and method of skin disinfection.
Minimum Volume
Pediatric volume:
Check with Lab staff to verify if any questions.
Do Not Use 80 mL bottles unless greater than 5 mL of blood is obtained.
For blood cultures the blood volume collected from children should be based on the weight of the patient. Blood specimens from septic children may yield fewer than 5 CFU/ml of the organism thus quantities less than 1 mL may not be adequate to detect pathogens. Optimal blood volume to media is 1: 9.
Weight of patient in lb Recommended blood volume for 2 cultures*
<2 lb 2 ml
2-5 lb 4 ml
5-27 lb 6 ml
>28 lb 10 ml
Instructions
Draw blood in the hour before a predicted fever spike or as the spike begins and before the administration of antibiotics as follows:
Patient Preparation
1. Apply tourniquet to patient’s arm.
2. Palpate area to locate vein.
3. Remove tourniquet.
4. Disinfect hands and put on gloves.
5. Determine the site where the needle is to be inserted. Rigid aseptic technique is required. The same area for venipuncture must be palpated before and not after cleansing.
6. Using aseptic technique, remove the Chlorascrub swabstick from the package, ensuring sterility. Do not touch the foam tip.
7. Place one flat side of the foam tip to the treatment area and prep the skin in vigorous back-and-forth repeated strokes for 1 minute.
8. Turn swabstick over and repeat the procedure with the unused side of the foam tip, prepping again for 1 minute. Treatment area for one swabstick is approximately 4x4 inches.
9. Allow the prepped area to air dry for 1.5 minutes. Do not blot or wipe dry.
10. Cleanse the top of the blood culture bottle with a new chlorahexidine swab (Prevantics swab).
Transport Temperature
Setup Schedule
Reference Range
Critical value (automatic call-back): all positives
Clinical Significance
Performed By
CoxHealth
