Blood Culture

10 mL of blood in BacT/Alert aerobic bottle and BacT/Alert anaerobic bottle

Specimen Holding Temperature: 35°C

Area: Bacteriology
Refer Out: N/A
Expected Time for Results:  5 days unless positive
Notes: 2 sets of blood cultures are recommended for routine culture but no more than 3 sets are generally required.  Each set of blood cultures should be drawn from a separate site and inoculated into one aerobic and one anaerobic bottle. Positive blood culture

fill blood in  Green top, sodium heparin tube

Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C

10 mL of blood in BacT/Alert FAN aerobic bottle and BacT/Alert FAN anaerobic bottle

Specimen Holding Temperature: 35°C

Area: Bacteriology
Refer Out: N/A
Expected Time for Results: 3 weeks unless positive
Notes: Positive blood culture results are phoned immediately.

For pediatric patients, collect the following volume per each blood culture draw:
 - <1kg (<2 lbs): 1-2 mL of blood
 - 1-2 kg (2-4 lbs): 2-3 mL of blood 
 - 2-13 kg (5-30 lbs): 3-4 mL of blood 
 - 13-36 kg (30-80 lbs): 5-8 mL of blood
 - >36 kg (>80 lbs): 16-20 mL of blood

For volumes 1-4 mL, expel all air from the syringe and aseptically inject the volume into a BacT/Alert FAN Pediatric bottle.

For volumes 5-8 mL, expel all air from the syringe and aseptically inject the volume split evenly between 2 BacT/Alert FAN Pediatric bottles.

For volumes 16-20 ml, expel all air from the syringe and aseptically inject 8-10 mL into the the BacT/Alert FAN aerobic bottle and 8-10 mL in the BacT/Alert FAN anaerobic bottle. Do not overfill the bottles.

Specimen Holding Temperature: 35°C

Area: Bacteriology
Refer Out: N/A
Expected Time for Results: Prelim: 48 hours; Final: 5 days; unless positive
Notes: Positive blood culture results are phoned immediately.