Specimen Requirements

Adult Collection

1. Sterilize tops of BACTEC^TM aerobic and anaerobic blood culture bottles with 70% isopropyl alcohol.

2. See “Microbiology” in “Special Instructions” for patient preparation and collection instructions.

3. Using a syringe or butterfly collection kit for direct inoculation, draw 20 mL of blood.
4. Transfer 10 mL of blood into aerobic bottle and 10 mL of blood into anaerobic bottle. Collect blue-capped aerobic bottle first if unable to collect both bottles.
5. Label bottles with patient’s full name (first, last, and middle initial), medical record number (if available), date and time of collection, location of patient, and type of specimen.
6. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  1. Extreme care must be taken to avoid contamination by anaerobic normal flora and overgrowth by coexisting aerobic bacteria.

2. Multiple cultures must be drawn at different times and different sites. One hour between draws is optimal, especially when ruling out endocarditis.
3. Most cases of bacteremia are detected using 2 to 3 sets of separately drawn blood cultures.

4. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Pediatric Collection
1. Sterilize top of Peds Plus^TM blood culture bottle with 70% isopropyl alcohol.
2. See “Microbiology” in “Special Instructions” for patient preparation and collection instructions.

3. Using a syringe or butterfly collection kit for direct inoculation, draw 3 mL (optimal) of blood.
4. Transfer entire amount of blood into Peds Plus^TM bottle.
5. Label bottle with patient’s full name (first, last, and middle initial), medical record number (if available), date and time of collection, location of patient, and type of specimen.
6. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note:  1. Extreme care must be taken to avoid contamination by anaerobic normal flora and overgrowth by coexisting aerobic bacteria.

2. Multiple cultures must be drawn at different times and different sites. One hour between draws is optimal, especially when ruling out endocarditis.
3. Most cases of bacteremia are detected using 2 to 3 sets of separately drawn blood cultures.
4. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.