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Test Code LAB462 BLOOD CULTURE

Important Note

Modern continuous-monitoring blood systems, in use at all St. Charles campuses,  have been shown to detect Brucella, Capnocytophaga, Campylobacter, and HACEK organisms within 5 days (routine hold time).

Streptobacillus moniliformis may be inhibited the sodium polyanethol sulfonate anticoagulant in blood culture bottles. If this organism is suspected a pediatric bottle should be inoculated with double the maximum volume in pediatric bottle.

Organisms with limited detection by this methodology:

i. Histoplasma

ii. Malassezia furfur

Organisms not detected by this methodology:

i. Mycobacteria (acid fast bacillus)

ii. Mycoplasma

iii. Legionella

iv. Leptospira

v. Ehrlichia/Anaplasma

vi. Borrelia

vii. Bartonella

Additional Codes

Internal: 10612
External: BLOODCULT

Beaker: LAB462

PERFORMED AT

SBH LABORATORY
SMH LABORATORY
SPH LABORATORY
SRH LABORATORY
HDH LABORATORY

Specimen Requirements

Container Type: BacT/Alert Blood culture bottles (Aerobic, Anaerobic, Pediatric)
Specimen Type: Whole blood
Preferred Volume: 10 mL each bottle Adults; 4 mL Peds (This is the MAXIMUM volume.  Do not exceed this volume.)
Emergency Minimum Volume: ADULTS: 8 mL of whole blood in the aerobic (light green) or anaerobic bottles (purple),  for short draws on adults, the minimum is 4 mL of whole blood in a yellow pediatric bottle. PEDIATRIC: 0.5 mL whole blood collected into a yellow pediatric bottle.
Patient Prep:  BacT/Alert Aerobic FAN bottle can be used for patients on antibiotics, paired with an anaerobic bottle.
Collection Procedure: Clean site with 70% alcohol then use a chloraprep swab moving back and forth over the site for at least 30 seconds (leave on skin for a full 60 seconds).  Site must be completely dry. 
For adults, aseptically draw 20 mL and place 10 mL into each bottle using the blood culture transfer device after preparing the top with an alcohol pad. Label one aerobic (green) blood culture bottle and one anaerobic (purple) blood culture bottle with patient name, date and time.  Do not cover the QR code or barcode on the bottle.  Hold at room temperature.
NOTE: A second set of blood cultures SHOULD be drawn to provide the optimal volume of blood to recover pathogens and aid in the interpretation of growth. If blood is obtained from a central line, a separate venipuncture should be performed. For pediatrics, use a separate Peds yellow bottle and collect 0.5-4 mL.
Specimen Processing: If transport will be delayed, bottles must be kept at room temperature (15-30C).  Bottles must be loaded onto blood culture incubator within 18 hours.
Required Patient Info: Specimen source

Method

Organism Isolation

Synonyms

Blood Culture

CPT Codes

87040

Department

Microbiology

Test Schedule

Daily at SCMC Bend

Test Includes

gram stain, PCR if applicable, suceptibility testing if applicable

Remarks

When 20 mL obtained, inoculate aerobic bottle (light green) first with 1/2 of the sample, then the anaerobic bottle (purple) with the remainder. If 8-10 mL then inoculate aerobic bottle only. If less than 8 mL, inoculate entire sample into Pediatric (yellow) bottle, not to exceed 4 mL maximum. Use  yellow Peds bottle for Pediatric patients and collect 0.5-4.0 mL.Catheter collections for blood cultures should be avoided whenever possible. You must have order from provider to obtain.  Bottles drawn from the same site at the same time are considered one culture set.  If you need to draw two sets from the same site, you must wait fifteen minutes between collections.

Additional Test Codes

This test may reflex to additional tests depending upon the results of this test. An additional fee may be added: Susceptibility – 87186 per each pathogen; Definitive ID – 87077; typing 87140 – 87158.

Turnaround Time

5 days.  Specimen continuously monitored.  Positive cultures will be called STAT day or night.