Blood Culture and Sensitivity
General Information
Lab Name
Blood C/S
Lab Code
BLDC
Epic Name
Blood Culture, Peripheral
Description
Two sets of blood cultures are recommended; maximum 3 sets per 24 hours. (one set includes 1 aerobic plus 1 anaerobic bottle)
BacT/Alert blood culture bottle collection, labeling and transport information
Components
| Code | Name |
|---|---|
| SDES | Specimen Description |
| SREQ | Special Requests |
| CULT | Culture |
| RPT | Report Status |
Interpretation
Method
BacT/ALERT bottles are incubated in the BioMerieux Virtuo which continuously monitors the bottles for growth of microorganisms. Once growth is detected, a rapid identification system is used to identify organisms and resistance genes. See FEE: Filmarray Blood Culture Identification [ADBCBF]. Organisms are isolated on solid agar media using conventional culture techniques. Final identification of any bacteria isolated is by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry or molecular sequencing. Susceptibility testing is performed on most isolates. Staphylococcus species that are coagulase negative (except S. lugdunensis), Bacillus species and presumptive diphtheroids do not get automatic susceptibility testing. Please inform lab if susceptibility testing is needed for those isolates.
Reference Range
See individual componentsInterferences and Limitations
Certain strains of Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae may be sensitive to the anticoagulant SPS, which may result in lack of growth or low production of CO2 by these strains. The BACT/ALERT Aerobic FA blood culture bottle does not have appropriate levels of CO2 in the headspace to reliably support growth of capnophiles such as Capnocytophaga spp.
Guidelines
Ordering & Collection
Specimen Type
Collection
Disinfect draw site AND BOTTLE TOPS. Allow to dry. Collect 8-10 mL blood in 1 FA Plus aerobic blood culture bottle and 8-10 mL in 1 FN Plus anaerobic blood culture bottle.
BacT/Alert blood culture bottle collection, labeling and transport information
Handling Instructions
Do NOT overfill or underfill. Do not place patient label over the barcode label. Note: Whenever possible, inoculate the maximum volume for optimal sensitivity of culture. Refer to "Nursing Services Policy and Procedures for Nursing Care: Obtaining Blood Culture" procedure (UW-MT).
Transport: Transport at room temperature to the laboratory ideally within 30 minutes after collection, or within 24 hours if transporting from an outside location. Specimens received in blood culture bottles >24 hours after collection will be rejected.
Transport in the pneumatic tube system: Place plastic blood culture bottles in a large biohazard specimen bag with the request slip. Then place the bagged bottles between TWO sections of foam padding inserts before sending the specimens in the pneumatic tube system.
Quantity
requested: 8-10 mL in each aerobic/anaerobic blood culture bottle. Use fill lines on the side of the bottle to gauge the correct blood volume.
minimum: 0.5 mL in one aerobic blood culture bottle or 0.5 mL in each aerobic/anaerobic blood culture bottle. If less than 1 ML collected, place the entire amount in an aerobic bottle only.
Processing
At SDES prompt, add phlebotomy site following "BLUD." At SREQ, enter bottle description, e.g. BLUD-RANT, AABT. Bottles should be placed in blood culture instrument ASAP.
Performance
LIS Dept Code
Microbiology (MC)
Performing Location(s)
| HMC |
Microbiology
206-744-5858 325 9th Ave, Rm # GWH-47, Seattle, WA 98104-2420 |
|
|---|---|---|
| UW-MT |
Microbiology
206-520-4600 Clinical Lab, Room # NW177, |
|
| UW-NW |
Main Lab
206-668-1344 UW Medical Center – Northwest |
Other Locations/Notes
UW-NW: Positive blood culture workup and susceptibility testing is performed at Central Lab Microbiology in Renton. Please contact the Microbiology lab at 206-485-9210 with questions regarding positive culture results.
Frequency
Processed upon receipt
Available STAT?
No