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Methodology
BacT/ALERT Blood Culture System
Positive bottles are gram stained, subcultured and microorganisms recovered are identified by conventional techniques.
Performing Laboratory
Rutland Regional Medical Center Laboratory
Specimen Requirements
Specimen must arrive within 2 hours of draw.
BacT/ALERT collection bottles (aerobic and anaerobic) must be used for this procedure.
Specimen Type: Blood
Container/Tube: BacT/ALERT collection bottles
Specimen Volume:
-Adults: use a 2-bottle set, 20 mL of blood per draw divided into 2 bottles, aerobic and anaerobic
-Children under 10 years: use a 1-bottle set, 1 mL to 4 mL of blood per draw
Collection Instructions:
1. Refer to Microbiology Specimen Collection Guidelines
2. Do not draw more than 3 sets of blood cultures in a 24 hour period.
Specimen Transport Temperature
Ambient
Normal Reference Values
No Growth
Day(s) Performed
Daily; continuously
Analytical Time:
5 days
Test Classification and CPT Coding
CPT: 87040
LOINC: 600-7
Result Name: Blood Culture
Order Code: RMCCBLOOD
Result Code: RMCL800046
Special Instructions
Acute sepsis: draw 2 to 3 sets from separate sites within 10 minutes
Acute endocarditis: draw 3 sets from 3 sites taken over 1 to 2 hours
Subacute endocarditis: draw 3 sets from 3 sites taken ≥15 minutes apart (if negative at 24 hours, obtain 3 more sets)
Fever of unknown origin: draw 2 to 3 sets from separate sites ≥1 hour apart (if negative at 24 hours, obtain 2-3 more sets)
Critical Values
Identification of all organisms