Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Blood

Container/Tube: BACTEC blood culture bottles (aerobic and anaerobic) or Pediatric

Specimen Volume: aerobic & anaerobic set: 8-10 ml each; pediatric bottle: 1-3 ml

Collection Instructions:

1. Draw specimens at 15-30 minute intervals (no more than 4 per 24 hours) unless otherwise specified.

2. Sterilize top of bottles with alcohol.

3. Apply tourniquet to patient's arm.

4. Palpate area to locate vein, then  remove tourniquet.

5. Sterilize area with chlorhexidine swab for 30 seconds, and let site dry for about 30 seconds; or sterilize area with alcohol and then 2 iodine swabs for 1 minute each, and let site dry for about 1 minute.

6. Reapply tourniquet to patient's arm. Do not palpate vein after sterilizing area.

7. Using syringe, draw blood and inoculate 8-10 ml into aerobic bottle and 8-10 ml into anaerobic bottle, or 1-3 ml in pediatric bottle. Mix each bottle by inverting 4 to 5 times.

8. Label bottles with patient's name, (first and last), medical record number, date and actual time of draw, and type of specimen.

Additional Information:  Specimen source is required, ie., location of draw is required.