Blood Cultures (Adult)
Blood culture bottles are incubated in the laboratory on an automated monitoring system.
Blood cultures can assist in the diagnosis of bacterial bloodstream infections that may result in fever, sepsis, meningitis and pneumonia
| Tube | Blue top Aerobic, purple top anaerobic blood culture bottles |
|---|---|
| ID | 3611 |
| Availability | Processing 24/7Positive results released to server 24/7Clinical liaison 9am - 10.30pm |
| Additional Information | If a patient has a history of foreign travel or PUO or suspected enteric fever ensure form and bottles are labelled as Danger of Infection. Where possible take before antibiotics, during or as soon after a spike in temperature. Blood cultures can be sent via the air tube system. If the Air tube system is not working porters should be contacted to transport Blood Cultures to specimen reception as soon as possible If insufficient Pods are available contact 22622 (LGI) or 65100 (SJH) to request additional carriers. |
| Turn Around | 6 days for final negative result. Interim provided at 48 hours. Positive results may be available sooner dependent on bacterial load. Turnaround time may be increased if prolonged culture indicated |
| Send to | LGI Microbiology Department |
| Collection Con | Samples should not be refrigerated. Cultures should be incubated within 4 hours of inoculation so samples must be sent without delay. |
| Sample REQ | 8-20ml of blood should be incoulated into a set of two bottles |
| IP Routine TAT | 6 days for final negative result.Interim provided at 48 hours. Positive results may be available sooner dependant on bacterial load. |
| GP Routine TAT | 6 days for final negative result.Interim provided at 48 hours. Positive results may be available sooner dependant on bacterial load. |
