Sign in →

Test Code BLC Culture, Blood

Additional Codes

YRMC Care - LAB462

Performing Laboratory

YRMC Microbiology

Day(s) Test Set Up

Sunday through Saturday, continuous monitoring for 5 days after culture is received in laboratory.

All recovered organisms are identified and susceptibility testing is performed if applicable.

Specimen Requirements

Blood
Container/Tube:

  • Adult (>12 years of age) 1-Aerobic BacT Alert Blood Culture Bottle and 1 Anerobic BacT Alert Blood Culture Bottle. If specimen volume is insufficient to submit both aerobic and anaerobic bottles, 1 Aerobic BacT Alert Blood Culture Bottle is sufficient for testing.
  • Infants/Children: 1 – Pediatric BacT Alert Blood Culture Bottle.

Specimen Volume:

  • Adult: Optimal Volume: 10mL per bottle (Aerobic and Ananerobic) Minimum volume: 5mL per bottle (Aerobic and Anaerobic). If less than 10mL of blood is collected, place entire volume of collected blood into an Aerobic BacT Alert Blood Culture Bottle.
  • Infants/Children: Optimal Volume: 5 mL Minimum volume: 2mL. Place entire collected volume into one Pediatric BacT Alert Blood Culture Bottle.

Specimen Transport Temperature

Ambient

Testing Algorithm

All recovered organisms are identified and susceptibiity testing is performed if applicable

Methodology

Automated or Manual Detection of Positive Blood Cultures with Conventional Identification Methods

Reference Values

No growth in 5 days

Test Classification and CPT Coding

87040
Additional charges and CPT codes may be added

Loinc Code

600-7

Specimen Collection Instructions

Collection Instructions: Collect specimen as follows:

  • 1. Sterilize tops of bottles with 70% isopropyl alcohol.
  • 2. Apply tourniquet to patient’s arm.
  • 3. Palpate area to locate vein.
  • 4. Thoroughly cleanse venipuncture site with ChloraPrep® applicator moving in concentric circles to periphery. Do not palpate vein after sterilizing area. If site must be touched during venipuncture, disinfect gloved finger. Allow to dry.
  • 5. Using a syringe or butterfly collection kit for direct inoculation, draw blood into each BacT Alert® bottle.

Note:

 

 

  • 1. Label bottles with patient’s name (first, last, and middle initial), medical record number (if appropriate), date of birth, date and time of specimen collection and collectors initials and/or ID number.

 

  • 2.This test code is ordered for patients who have not received antibiotic therapy within the last 48 hours.
  • 3. Every attempt should be made to obtain the requested volume for each blood culture ordered. Blood cultures will not be rejected for inadequate volume if visible blood is present in the blood culture botte.