Blood culture (septicaemia)

Microbiology

Notes

The information given here is intended for use by healthcare professionals. Please see Lab Tests Online-UK for more general advice, links and background.

• Do not remove, cover or in any way deface the bottle barcodes
• If using addressograph labels do not cover the bottle barcode
• Sunrise patient labels should be attached to allow for the barcode to be easily scanned by the lab.
• Samples should preferably be taken prior to administration of antibiotics
• See also: Mycobacterium blood culture
  

Sample requirements

BacT/ALERT blood culture bottles

Adult set
1 aerobic bottle (blue cap) + 1 anaerobic bottle (red cap)

Paediatric
1 paediatric bottle (yellow cap) only

Safety-Lok Blood Collection Set and BacT/ALERT Adaptor or direct draw adaptor and butterfly line or needle and syringe

Collection method

Blood culture specimens should be taken as soon as possible after the need is recognised and before treatment with antimicrobials is commenced

Refer to Trust wide Clinical Policy A0296 - Blood Culture Sampling for comprehensive instructions covering the following methods:

• Blood Cultures: peripheral Sampling with a Safety Butterfly Needle & Blood Culture Transfer Holder (Adults standard ANTT approach)
• Blood Cultures: Sampling from Central Venous Catheters (CVC) and Midlines (Adults standard ANTT approach)
• Peripheral Blood Cultures: Sampling from Central Venous Catheters (CVC) and Midlines (Paediatrics)
• Peripheral Blood Cultures: Sampling from a newly inserted peripheral cannula (Neonates only)
• Peripheral Blood Cultures: Sampling from a newly inserted peripheral cannula (Paediatrics)
• Peripheral Blood Cultures: Sampling with a Safety Butterfly Needle and Syringe (Paediatrics)

Collect at least two sets per episode.

For suspected infective endocarditis, collect three sets at 30-minute intervals.

Use a separate venepuncture for each set.

Fill each adult bottle with 8–10 mL, or each paediatric bottle with 1–4 mL. Do not overfill or exceed 10 mL per adult bottle or 4 mL per paediatric bottle.

Take blood cultures before other blood samples.

For adults, fill the aerobic bottle (blue) first, then the anaerobic bottle (red).

Required information

• Current or recent antimicrobial treatment
• Antimicrobial allergies
• Site of collection (peripheral or lumen)
• Travel history - Microbiology MUST be made aware of any recent foreign travel history to prevent exposure of laboratory staff to high-risk organisms (Risk of exposure of laboratory staff to biological agents due to missing clinical information)
  
• Any other important clinical details

Storage/transport

Store and transport samples at room temperature

Send samples promptly to the microbiology laboratory using either the air tube system or portering staff

Ideally, Blood culture samples must be loaded on to the analyser within 4 hours of collection

Turnaround time

Negatives 5 days

Positive bottles are indicated in EPR immediately they are flagged as positive
Positive microscopy and culture results will be communicated to the ward team as soon as possible, either via by telephone or via an EPR note.