Additional Info:
If indicated, further testing considered medically appropriate will be reflexed, resulting in additional charges.
Useful For:
If unusual pathogens such as brucella, viruses, chlamydia, rickettsia, etc. are requested, notify the Microbiology department in advanace.
Methodology: Automated Microbial Detection System
Specimen Requirements:
Severe septicemia: 2 culture sets from separate sites, or 30 minutes apart, prior to antibiotic therapy
Subacute bacterial endocarditis: 3 culture sets at least 1 hour apart within a 24-hour period
Acute bacterial endocarditis: 3 culture sets drawn within a 1-2 hour period prior to the start of antibiotic therapy
Bacteremia of unknown origin: 4-6 culture sets within a 48-hour period if already on antibiotic therapy
NOTE: This test may be drawn STAT.
Collect ONE culture set as follows:
- Clean the tops of 2 yellow SPS tubes with an alcohol prep prior to inoculation and allow them to air dry.
- Place a tourniquet on the arm. Select the vein to be used. Remove the tourniquet.
- Remove the white scrub (FREPP Applicator containing Chlorhexidine) from the blood culture prep kit. Hold it in a horizontal position and squeeze the handles together to break the glass ampule inside.
- Place the sponge over the vein and depress it once or twice to saturate the sponge, then scrub the selected area on the arm vigorously for 30 seconds. Squeeze the sponge as necessary to keep the area moist.
- Allow the area to air dry (do not blow or fan).
- Reapply the tourniquet.
- Without touching the clean area, perform the venipuncture.
- Always FILL the blood culture tubes first (absolute minimum: adult-3.0 mL and pediatric-0.5 mL of blood per tube).
- The labeling of the tube is very important. Include the patient’s name, date and the time of draw of each tube.
Store specimen at room temp.
Analytical Time:
Negative:
Preliminary report: 24 and 48 hours
Final report: 5 days
Positive:
Preliminary report: <1 day after detection
Final report: 1-2 days after growth detected
Days Set Up: Monday through Sunday
CPT Information:
87040 – Culture, blood