For the diagnosis of bacteraemia withdraw blood from a peripheral vein and divide • the sample equally among blood culture bottles. If a central line is present, withdraw blood also from the central line following the recommendations in hospital’s Guidelines for Preventing Central Vascular Catheter Related Infection. Label bottles with patient name and hospital number or use hospital addressograph • label. DO NOT COVER THE BOTTLE BARCODE. THIS IS FOR LABORATORY USE. State on bottles and form if blood is from a peripheral vein or a central line. • Complete laboratory request form giving a brief relevant history including antibiotic therapy. Complete Microbiology Specimen Request Form (Green), or On-call request form (Red) to ensure compliance with the Patient Specimen and Request Form Identification Criteria. Please supply relevant clinical and antibiotic therapy details. Send bottles and request form to the laboratory for immediate incubation Paediatric/Neonate 1-4 mls of blood in yellow paediatric bottle. Adult Volume/Quantity 5-10 mls of blood in each bottle (Aerobic and Anaerobic). Endocarditis Three sets (Aerobic and Anaerobic) of blood cultures should be taken from separate venepuncture sites. Standard precautions should be adhered to when collecting blood or biological material. Safety Inspect the blood culture bottles for damage or defect before use and that they have Requirements not exceeded their expiry date. Gloves should be worn at collection. Do not re-sheath needles. Blood cultures should be transported to the laboratory as soon as possible after Time Between collection, for incubation / loading to the BacT Alert 3D system within 4 hours. Collection and Where there is a delay in transport to the laboratory or loading onto the BacT Alert 3D Processing system, blood cultures should be incubated at 36±1°C as soon as possible after inoculation and be refrigerated. Pending transportation, store at room MUST NOT temperature. Sample Quality N/A Special N/A Requirements Most significant pathogens will be detected within 24-48 hrs; however blood cultures are routinely incubated for 5 days with the exception of endocarditis investigations where incubation is extended to 21 days. Turnaround Times Positive blood cultures are notified to the ward staff involved immediately on detection by the microbiology/on call staff therefore there is no need for ward staff to contact the Microbiology laboratory to determine if a blood culture is positive.
• For the diagnosis of bacteraemia withdraw blood from a peripheral vein and divide the sample equally among blood culture bottles. If a central line is present, withdraw blood also from the central line following the recommendations in hospital’s Guidelines for Preventing Central Vascular Catheter Related Infection. • Label bottles with patient name and hospital number or use hospital addressograph label. DO NOT COVER THE BOTTLE BARCODE. THIS IS FOR LABORATORY USE. • State on bottles and form if blood is from a peripheral vein or a central line. Complete laboratory request form giving a brief relevant history including antibiotic therapy. Complete Microbiology Specimen Request Form (Green), or On-call request form (Red) to ensure compliance with the Patient Specimen and Request Form Identification Criteria. Please supply relevant clinical and antibiotic therapy details. Send bottles and request form to the laboratory for immediate incubation Volume/Quantity Paediatric/Neonate 1-4 mls of blood in yellow paediatric bottle. Adult 5-10 mls of blood in each bottle (Aerobic and Anaerobic). Endocarditis Three sets (Aerobic and Anaerobic) of blood cultures should be taken from separate venepuncture sites. Safety Requirements Standard precautions should be adhered to when collecting blood or biological material. Inspect the blood culture bottles for damage or defect before use and that they have not exceeded their expiry date. Gloves should be worn at collection. Do not re-sheath needles. Time Between Collection and Processing Blood cultures should be transported to the laboratory as soon as possible after collection, for incubation / loading to the BacT Alert 3D system within 4 hours. Where there is a delay in transport to the laboratory or loading onto the BacT Alert 3D system, blood cultures should be incubated at 36±1°C as soon as possible after inoculation and MUST NOT be refrigerated. Pending transportation, store at room temperature. Sample Quality N/A Special Requirements N/A Turnaround Times Most significant pathogens will be detected within 24-48 hrs; however blood cultures are routinely incubated for 5 days with the exception of endocarditis investigations where incubation is extended to 21 days. Positive blood cultures are notified to the ward staff involved immediately on detection by the microbiology/on call staff therefore there is no need for ward staff to contact the Microbiology laboratory to determine if a blood culture is positive.
pathology-user-handbook-2018-revision-12.docx