Culture, Blood (Set 1, Set 2)

Culture, Blood, Routine, Septic, Bacteremia, Fungemia

Blood cultures detect microorganisms such as bacteria and yeast in the bloodstream. Useful to diagnosis or rule out bacteremia and fungemia.
A blood culture is a laboratory test in which blood, taken from the patient, is inoculated into bottles containing culture media to determine whether infection-causing microorganisms (bacteria or fungi) are present in the patient’s bloodstream. Blood cultures are the most widely used diagnostic tool for the detection of bacteremia and fungemia. It is the most important way to diagnose the etiology of bloodstream infections and sepsis and has major implications for the treatment of those patients.

Whole Blood

Blood Culture Bottle. One set of blood cultures includes an aerobic bottle and anaerobic bottle. For pediatric patients one pediatric bottle is one blood culture set. It is recommended to collect two blood culture sets from different draw sites (such as left and right arm) to diagnose most bloodstream infections.

Strictly adhere to Microbiology Blood Culture Collection procedure for proper collection. Adult: collect 16 to 20 mL total of blood; add 8 to 10 mL to each bottle (aerobic and anaerobic). Pediatric: collect 1-3 mL total blood and put in one pediatric bottle. Do not add more than 10 mL of blood to either the aerobic or anaerobic bottles, or more than 3 mL of blood to a pediatric bottle. It is recommended to avoid drawing blood from a venous or arterial catheter, since these devices are often associated with higher contamination rates. The test request form must list current antibiotic therapy and any special organisms suspected or to rule out such as fungus, Brucella, or Francisella. Blood cultures should be drawn prior to initiation of antimicrobial therapy.

8-10 mls per bottle

1-3 ml per one pediatric bottle

Strict aseptic technique is essential. Document date, time, and draw site on bottles. Document short draws, low volume, and insufficient number of bottles on requisition so the laboratory staff can process appropriately.

Ambient: Preferred to arrive at the lab ASAP or <4 hours of collection. Will also accept <12 hours after collection. DO NOT REFRIGERATE.

Blood cultures that are received unlabeled or if the bottle is cracked or broken.

Low levels of organisms or fastdious organisms may not be detected in the incubation interval of the culture. A negative culture result does not necessarily rule out bacteremia; false-negative results occur when pathogens fail to grow. A positive culture result does not necessarily indicate bacteremia; false-positive results occur when contaminants grow.

Culture

7 days

Sunday-Saturday

87040

Any growth of microorganisms is a positive blood culture. No growth is a negative blood culture.

None

Incyte Diagnostics

Result 600-7, Source 31208-2

Identification and sensitivity is performed on all significant isolates and billed separately from the culture.