Fluid Bacterial Culture in Blood Culture Bottles without Gram Stain

General Information

Lab Name

Fluid C/S in BLD Cult Bottles

Lab Code

FLDBC

Epic Name

CULTURE:BACT - FLD (BLD BOT)

Description

This test is intended for the culture of sterile body fluids (other than urine, blood, BAL or bone marrow). This culture does not include a gram stain. If gram stain is needed, send fluid in a sterile specimen container to the Microbiology laboratory. See Fluid Bacterial C/S in Blood Culture Bottles with Gram Stain [FLDGBC]. Specify source of specimen, preferably using pre-defined specimen descriptors in CPOE.

For CSF, see Place Holder for CSF Bacterial Culture and Sensitivity with Gram Stain [CSFPHC].

For specimens collected from drains (other than CSF), see Fluid Bacterial Culture and Sensitivity with Gram Stain [FLDC].

For all other body fluids see Place Holder for Body Fluid Bacterial Culture and Sensitivity with Gram Stain (includes anaerobes) [FLDPHC].

For blood/urine/BAL/bone marrow see separate test guide entries specific to these sites.

Synonyms

Ascites Fluid Culture, Bacterial Fluid Culture, Body Fluid Culture, Peritoneal Fluid Culture

Components

Code	Name
SDES	Specimen Description
SREQ	Special Requests
CULT	Culture
RPT	Report Status

Interpretation

Reference Range: See individual components

Ordering & Collection

Specimen Type: Sterile Body Fluid, Ascites Fluid, Peritoneal Fluid, Joint Fluid, Amniotic fluid, Pericardial fluid, Pleural fluid, Synovial fluid, Thoracentesis fluid
Collection: Preferred: Fluid in sterile specimen container or syringe (remove needle and replace with Luer tip cap).

If inoculating BacT/ALERT blood culture bottles directly, disinfect BOTTLE TOPS. Allow to dry. Inoculate 8-10 mL body fluid into 1 aerobic (FA PLUS) blood culture bottle and 8-10 mL into 1 anaerobic (FN PLUS) blood culture bottle. Send additional fluid in sterile container for direct exam (recommended). Do NOT overfill or under fill. Do not place patient label over the barcode label. Only BacT/ALERT blood culture bottles will be accepted.

Note: If possible, inoculate the maximum volume for optimal sensitivity of culture.
Handling Instructions: Transport specimens collected in a syringe or sterile container within 2 hours and pre-inoculated blood culture bottles within 30 minutes after collection at room temperature.

Transport in the pneumatic tube system: BacT/ALERT plastic bottles placed in a large sealed biohazard specimen bag with the request slip. Place the bagged bottles between TWO sections of foam padding inserts before sending the specimens in the pneumatic tube system. Please send any additional fluid in a separate pneumatic tube.

If specimen is received >12 hours after collection, viability of organisms may be significantly reduced. Specimens received > 24 hours after collection, or collected with expired transport media will be rejected.
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 volume.
Minimum: 0.5 mL in one aerobic blood culture bottle or 0.5 mL in each aerobic/anaerobic blood culture bottle.

Processing

Receiving Instructions: UW-MT: If already inoculated bottles are received with extra container of fluid, order FLDGBC. If <1mL of sterile fluid is received, order FLDANC. For fluid from drainages, order FLDC except CSF.

HMC: See instructions in the Specimen Processing procedure.

Note: If blood bottles received on an unacceptable fluid type, consult Microbiology manager or lead; do not toss bottles.

Misc Sendout

Performance

Lab Department

Microbiology(MC)

Frequency

Processed upon receipt

Available STAT?

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, University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific street, Seattle, WA 98195

Other Locations/Notes

UW-MT Microbiology performs testing for UW-MT and UW-NW.

Billing & Coding

CPT Codes: 87070, 87075
LOINC: 611-4