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Test Code BLDC Blood Culture

Infectious

Additional Codes

EPIC LAB4503

Purpose

To assess the presence of microorganisms (bacteria and yeast) in a patient’s blood stream.  Blood is aseptically collected into culture vials which are then introduced into an automated instrument.  Cultures are measured every 10 minutes for positivity by the instrument.  Positive cultures cause an automatic alert and are called to the floor STAT.

Methodology

  • Bactec FX
  • Conventional culture
  • NAT (if applicable)

Specimen Volume

Adults
Optimal: 8-10 mL in each aerobic and anaerobic bottle (16-20 mL per set).
Minimum: 3-6 mL in a single aerobic bottle.

 

Children (ages 5-10)
Optimal: 1 mL blood per year of age in a single aerobic adult bottle.

 

Children (ages 1-4)
Optimal: 1 mL of blood per year of age in a pediatric bottle.

 

Infants (<1 year)
Optimal: 1 mL blood in a pediatric bottle.


 

Sample Type

Blood Culture Bottles

  • Aerobic (BACTEC Plus Aerobic/F Culture Vials)
  • Anaerobic (BACTEC Lytic/10 Anaerobic/F Culture Vials)
  • Pediatric (BACTEC PedsPlus/F Culture Vial)

 

***The BACTEC PedsPus bottle is intended for ages 4 and under only***

Specimen Collection

  1. Draw each culture from a separate site.
  2. Draw blood cultures before antibiotics are started or just before the next dose, if at all possible.
  3. Collect no more than three cultures per 24 hour period without checking the doctor's orders. A maximum of six can be collected without a pathologist's approval. 

Specimen Stability

Temperature Time
Ambient (18-25°C) 24 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C) N/A
Frozen (-15 to -20°C) N/A

 

GenMark ePlex BCID PCR Targets

Rejection Criteria

  • Samples outside of stability limits.
  • Samples not properly labled (must have 2 patient identifiers).
  • Samples collected in only the anaerobic bottles.
  • Pediatric bottle collection for patients over the age of 4.

Availability

Performed STAT
24/7 Yes

 

Performing Laboratory

MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital Laboratory

Lab Department

Microbiology

CPT Code

87040

0140U (if appropriate)

0141U (if appropriate)

0142U (if appropriate)

LOINC

600-7 Bacteria identified Cx Nom (Bld)