Blood Culture and Sensitivity with Extended Incubation

This test is intended for R/O Brucella or R/O Bartonella only.

Approval from the Clinical Microbiology Fellow or Lab Medicine Resident is required to order this test. Contact the fellow or resident via the paging operator at (206) 598-6190.

Note: Routine blood cultures do NOT require extended incubation times to R/O HACEK (fastidious Gram-negative) organisms.

BacT/Alert blood culture bottle collection, labeling and transport information

Disinfect draw site AND BOTTLE TOPS. Allow to dry. Collect 8-10 mL blood in 1 aerobic (FA PLUS) blood culture bottle and 8-10 mL in 1 anaerobic (FN PLUS) blood culture bottle.

UW-Montlake: Also acceptable: 8.3 mL blood in each of 2 yellow top (SPS) tubes [UW-MT PMM order #: 100409, NOT an ACD tube]. DO NOT send blood in 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

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: Plastic BacT/ALERT blood culture bottles must be place in a large sealed 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.