Automated blood culture system Positive results are reported as soon as recognized. Negative reports will be issued at 1 day and 5 days. Negative reports for manually read samples issued at 1 week.
Rejection Criteria
Samples with no visible blood in bottles Cracked bottles Frozen samples Swabs Samples not collected in blood culture bottles or sps tubes
Reference Range(s)
No Growth
Specimen Requirements
Preferred Specimen
Blood culture bottles
Minimum Volume
Adult: 8 mL per bottle Pedi: 1 mL per bottle Note: Decreased specimen volumes may decrease yield or clinical sensitivity of blood culture.
Sample Stability
1 day room temperature
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Collection Instructions
20 mL whole blood aseptically collected and split between adult aerobic and anaerobic bottles. Room temperature. 4 mL whole blood into single pedi bottle. Room temperature. Note: Decreased specimen volumes may decrease yield or clinical sensitiviy of blood culture.