Page 201 - pathology_services_handbook_5th_edition_2018

1. Adults : Aerobic and anaerobic culture bottle
Volume : 8-10 mls into each bottle

2. Paediatric : A single blood culture bottle
Volume : 1-3 mls

3. For fungal C&S : Myco F Lytic bottle MICROBIOLOGY
Volume: 1-5 mls into each bottle

4. For TB Blood Culture: Myco F Lytic bottle
Volume: 1-5 mls into each bottle

Method of collection :

Blood culture

1. Prepare all materials required for blood culture taking.
2. Palpate and locate the vein. Apply tourniquet to the extremity.
3. Wear plastic apron. Perform hand hygiene and wear sterile glove.
4. Swab the phlebotomy site in circular motion starting from inside and continue
outwards at a diameter of 3-4 inches using 2% chlorhexidine in 70% alcohol.
5. Allow the site to air dry.
6. If the venipuncture proves difficult and the vein must be palpated again, the site
should be cleansed again.
7. Collect the required amount of the blood using syringe and needle or the
butterfly set.
8. Remove flip-off caps of blood culture vials and wipe the injection port/septum
thoroughly using alcohol swab.
9. Inoculate specified volume of blood into blood culture vials and invert the vials
2-3 times.
10. Label the vials with at least 2 patient identifiers eg: name and identification
number.
11. Keep the inoculated bottle at room temperature in upright position before
sending to the laboratory. Do not refrigerate.

Note:
Blood culture is best taken before giving antibiotics and as close as possible to the
episode of chills or fever.

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