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Test Code LAB1230229 Culture, Bacteria - Blood

Useful For

Use: To isolate and identify bloodborne organisms causing bacteremia, septicemia, etc.

Reflex Testing:  May include:  Definitive Identification (Bacterial); Sensitivity; Serotyping; Beta Lactamase; MRSA/SA PCR.

Special Instructions

  • Up to 3 sets in 24 hours / Up to 6 sets in 72 Hours. In most cases 2 sets per day is sufficient. 

 

  • AT LEAST 2 SETS MUST BE COLLECTED INITIALLY TO EFFECTIVELY DIAGNOSE BACTEREMIA.

 

  • If more than three blood cultures are ordered per day, 24-hour period, have Micro Tech or Charge Tech consult with physician to determine clinical necessity.  If physician is not available, contact Pathologist on call.

 

  • When labeling bottles, do not cover the barcode label or the bottle lot number.

Performing Laboratory

  • Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center (ARRMC)
  • Asante Three Rivers Medical Center (ATRMC)
  • Asante Ashland Community Hospital (AACH)

 

Performing Department

Microbiology

Specimen Required

  • Specimen Type: Peripheral venous blood using 2 sterile BIOMERIEUX™ BACT/ALERT Plus bottles (1 aerobic and 1 anaerobic) provided by laboratory.
  • Container type(s)

Aerobic Bottle: BIOMERIEUX™ BACT/ALERT® FA Plus Aerobic 

 

Anaerobic Bottle: BIOMERIEUX™ BACT/ALERT® FN Plus Anaerobic

 

Pediatric (Aerobic) Bottle: BIOMERIEUX™ BACT/ALERT® PF Plus Pediatric (Aerobic)

 

Cleanse the venipuncture site with 70% alcohol in a vigorous back and forth motion across the site for 30 seconds.  Using the same procedure as above, cleanse the site with ChloraPrep One-Step (chlorhexidine gluconate 2% w/v and isopropyl alcohol 70% (w/v) and allow to dry for at least 30 seconds. Do not use Chloraprep for children < 2 months old. If further palpation is necessary, use only sterile gloves.  For iodine sensitive patients, use double alcohol.

Draw prior to antimicrobial therapy, preferred.  If 2 sets are ordered prior to administration, draw from separate sites, one right after the other.  If 3 sets are ordered, draw 2 sets one right after the other, wait 15-30 minutes and draw set #3.  Timed blood draws and orders in response to temperature spike are acceptable. Collect with sterile syringe, butterfly apparatus or special blood culture bottle adapter.  Cleanse bottle septum with 70% alcohol or iodine solution and allow it to dry one minute prior to inoculation of bottle.  Fill orange bottle (anaerobic) first if both bottles will be inoculated with a syringe.

 

NOTE: Quality results are volume dependent, and every attempt should be made to not overfill or underfill bottles.

 

Adults/Children >36.3 kg: 

  • BIOMERIEUX™ BACT/ALERT® FA Plus Aerobic Bottle, 8-10 mL
  • BIOMERIEUX™ BACT/ALERT® FN Plus Anaerobic Bottle, 8-10 mL

 

Difficult/Pediatric Draw <36.3 kg

  • BIOMERIEUX™ Bact/Alert® PF Plus Aerobic Bottle 2-4 mL

Specimen Minimum Volume

Adults and Pediatrics >36.3 kg

8 – 10 ml should always be collected if possible.  For adults, if the total volume is only enough for one bottle, inoculate a green top (aerobic) BIOMERIEUX™ BACT/ALERT® FA Plus Aerobic Bottle

 

Pediatrics <36.3 kg & Hard Draw

BIOMERIEUX™ Bact/Alert® PF Plus Pediatric (Aerobic) Bottle 1-4 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Ambient for up to 24 hours – Transport to laboratory as soon as possible. 

Reject Due To

 

  • Lacking Two Patient Identifiers:
    • 1-Patient's First & Last name 
    • 2-Patient's Date of Birth

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

 

Daily updates, final at 5 days (no growth).

 

All positives called.  If reflex testing is required, test results will be delayed.

Method Name

BIOMERIEUX™ BACT/ALERT® VIRTUO