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Blood Cultures
[ Biopsy Tissue ] [ Blood Cultures ] [ Coagulation ] [ CSF ] [ Cytogenetics ] [ Cytopathology ] [ Fecal ] [ Pap Smears ] [ Throat Culture ] [ Urine Collection ] [ Viral ] [ Wound Sample ]
Two or three blood
cultures should be collected from separately prepared sites prior to starting
antibiotic therapy. Blood can be collected by venipuncture of peripheral veins
or arteries, from intravascular catheters, or by heel stick.
Always observe universal precautions.
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Disinfect the venipuncture site
and the stoppers of the culture bottles and collection tubes.
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Clean the site with 70% isopropyl
or ethyl alcohol.
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Swab concentrically, starting at
the center with 1 to 2% tincture of iodine or 10% providone-iodine solution.
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Allow the disinfectant to dry.
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Draw blood through a syringe and
needle, and deliver through transfer set or a double-ended needle into
sterile Bactec bottles. (Use a new set for each venipuncture.) For routine
blood culture, use aerobic and anaerobic Bactec bottles. For fungal or AFB
cultures, collect a Myco-Flytic Bactec bottle (red label).
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After inoculation of culture
bottle, wipe residual iodine from the skin with alcohol to prevent
irritation.
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Note minimum volumes and
container requirements in the alphabetized listing of tests.
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