Fluid Bacterial C/S in Blood Culture Bottles with Gram Stain

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General Information

Lab Name
Fluid C/S w/Gram in BLD Cult Btls
Lab Code
FLDGBC
Epic Ordering
Fluid C/S w/Gram in BLD Cult Btls
Description

This test is intended for the culture of sterile body fluids (other than urine, blood, BAL or bone marrow). Send fluid in a sterile specimen container to the Microbiology laboratory. 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

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 blood culture bottles directly, disinfect BOTTLE TOPS. Allow to dry. Inoculate 8-10 mL body fluid into 1 FA Plus aerobic blood culture bottle and 8-10 mL into 1 FN Plus anaerobic 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: Place 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. 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

Processing

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.

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,
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.

Frequency
Processed upon receipt
Available STAT?
Yes - Gram stain

Billing & Coding

CPT codes
87015, 87070, 87075, 87205
LOINC
611-4