Test:

Blood Culture, Aerobic and Anaerobic.
Order in NUlirt or complete NPHL Test Order Form

 
  Synonym:

Blood Culture,blood bottles

 
  Method:

Continuous monitoring blood culture system/identificatio

 
  Availability:

Daily; preliminary report at 24 day and final report at 5 days for negatives.
All positive blood cultures are reported as soon as detected.

 
  Specimen:

Blood.Draw aseptically per Blood Culture Collection procedure. Wipe off top of Blood culture bottles with alcohol wipe and let dry.

 
  Collection Device:

Blood. Draw aseptically per Blood Culture Collection procedure. Wipe off top of Blood culture bottles with alcohol wipe and let dry. Collect blood into Bactec Plus Aerobic /F bottle and Bactec Lytic/Anaerobic F bottle.
Specimen Labeling: Test subject to CLIA regulations and required 2 patient identifiers on specimen container and requisition forms

 
  Volume:

3.0-10.0 mL of blood into each Bactec aerobic bottle and Bactec anaerobic bottle. Optimum blood specimen is 20 mL. Follow these guidelines if less blood obtained, split the amount of blood drawn between bottles, 3.0 mL required for each bottle. For Pediatric patients, 1.0-3.0 mL of blood injected into Bactec Pediatric aerobic culture bottle is sufficient. Pediatric blood culture bottles are available upon request and ordered as a BLDA

 
  Storage/Transport:

Prior to and during shipment:  Ambient 15-25°C
Shipping instructions, including specimen-handling requirements during transport:  Place in biohazard bag with absorbent material. Mark out rigid box as UN3373 Category B, Biological Substance. Transport by NPHL ground courier. If courier not available, ship by FedEx, UPS or USPS (1st Class, Priority or Express Mail). Follow appropriate DOT/IATA Regulation Guidelines.  For assistance, call NPHL State Training Coordinator at (402) 559-3590.  
See instructions and shipping address: http://nphl.org

 
  Unacceptable:

Improperly collected or stored culture bottles. Refrigerated bottles

 
  Specimen Stability:

Stable at ambient temperature 20-25° C

 
  Reference Interval:

No growth at 5 days

 
  Reportable Disease:

Presumptive positive results are reported to local or state health department. Refer to Nebraska DHHS Title 173, Communicable Diseases.

 
  Comments:

Pre-approval needed from state or local health department.  Send approval to NPHL@unmc.edu or call (402) 559-9444.
State source of blood if other than peripheral on test request form.  Example: Line draw.  No more than 3 blood culture sets should be drawn with 24 hour period, unless from multiple lines. Document on test request form if patient is suspected of having endocarditis or usual organism such as Brucella, Francisella or other BT agent.

Gram stain performed on positives. Initial positive cultures will be reflexed by the lab to the Direct Blood Pathogen panel for a rapid, PCR-based, identification of the 

 
  Revised: 3/21/2021