Blood Culture and Sensitivity
General Information
- Lab Name
- Blood C/S
- Lab Code
- BLDC
- Epic Ordering
- 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
- Synonyms
- 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. lugdenensis), Bacillus species and presumptive diphtheroids do not get automatic susceptibility testing. Please inform lab if susceptibility testing is needed for those idolates.
- Reference Range
- See individual components
- Interferences and Limitations
Neisseria species, Streptobacillus moniliformis, Peptostreptococcus species, or Gardnerella vaginalis recovery may be inhibited by SPS.
- Guidelines
Ordering & Collection
- Specimen Type
- Peripheral Blood
- 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.
UW-Montlake: Also acceptable: approximately 8 mL blood in each of 2 yellow top (SPS) tubes [UW-MT PMM order #: 100409, NOT an ACD tube]. DO NOT send blood in yellow top SPS tubes if the suspected organism is Neisseria species, Streptobacillus moniliformis, Peptostreptococcus species, or Gardnerella vaginalis because SPS may inhibit the recovery of these organisms.
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 12 hours if transporting from an outside location. Specimens received in blood culture bottles or yellow top SPS tubes >12 hours after collection will be rejected. Viability of organisms is significantly reduced after 12 hours.
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
- Processing
At SDES prompt, enter BLUD, phlebotomy site and bottle description, e.g. BLUD-RANT-AABT. If yellow top SPS tubes are received, inoculate into blood culture bottles. Bottles should be placed in blood culture instrument ASAP.
Performance
- LIS Dept Code
- Microbiology (MC)
- Performing Location(s)
-
HMC Microbiology
206-744-5858325 9th Ave, Rm # GWH-47, Seattle, WA 98104-2420
UW-NW Main Lab
206-668-1344UW Medical Center – Northwest
1550 N 115th Street, A200
Seattle, WA 98133UW-MT Microbiology
206-520-4600Clinical Lab, Room # NW177,
University of Washington Medical Center,
1959 NE Pacific street, Seattle, WA 98195 - Other Locations/Notes
-
UW-NW: Positive blood culture workup and susceptibility testing is performed at UW-MT. Please contact the UW Microbiology lab at 206-598-6147 with questions regarding positive culture results.
- Frequency
- Processed upon receipt
- Available STAT?
- No
Billing & Coding
- CPT codes
- 87040
- LOINC
- 600-7
- Interfaced Order Code
- UOW5037