Collection Instructions

Specimen Preparation:

1. At the time of collection, remove the cap from the bottle(s).
2. Clean the top of the bottle(s) with an alcohol prep.  Iodine is NOT recommended.  Once this is complete do not touch the top of the bottles, or they will need to be cleaned again.
3. Allow bottle(s) to air dry.

Specimen Collection:

Patient Preparation/Specimen Collection/Transport

1. Whenever possible, blood cultures should be collected before administration of antimicrobial therapy.
2. Select a different site for each culture drawn.
3. Avoid collection from indwelling intravenous or intra-arterial catheters unless blood cannot be obtained by venipuncture or unless the diagnosis of catheter related sepsis is suspected.  In this case, one venous draw and one line draw is acceptable. (make sure it is indicated on the bottle(s) what kind of draw was done)
4. The specimen must be collected using sterile techniques in order to reduce the chance of contamination.
   • Apply the tourniquet.  Select the venipuncture site.
   • Remove tourniquet.
   • Prepare the patient's arm for venipuncture:
     • Remove the applicator from the Chlora-Prep One-Step Frepp Applicator package.  Pinch the wings of the applicator to break the ampule and release the antiseptic.  Do not touch the sponge.
     • Wet the sponge by repeatedly pressing and releasing the sponge against the treatment area until liquid is visible on the skin.
     • Use back and forth strokes of the applicator for 30 seconds starting at the puncture sites and working outward.  Completely wet the treatment area with antiseptic.
     • Allow the area to air dry for at least one minute.  Do not blot or wipe away.
     • The change of state from wet to dry disrupts the cell wall of organisms that may potentially contaminate the specimen.
     • Apply the tourniquet.
     • DO NOT TOUCH THE SITE AFTER DECONTAMINATION.  IF THE SITE IS TOUCHED AFTER DECONTAMINATION, IT WILL NEED TO BE RE-DECONTAMINATED.
   • Perform the venipuncture to collect the specimen:
     • Direct draw using a vacutainer adapter is prohibited.  Culture media could possibly be refluxed into the patient's vein.
     • A syringe can be used.  Collect a minimum volume as indicated on the bottle to a maximum volume as indicated on the bottle (see specimen volume requirements).
     • The volume of blood cultured is critical because the number of organisms per mL of blood in most cases of bacteremia is low, especially if the patient is on antimicrobial therapy.
     • If appropriate, a butterfly set can be used to draw the specimen directly into the bottle(s).  Carefully observe the amount of blood collected by means of the graduation marks on the vial label.  (Collect aerobic bottle first, then the anaerobic bottle for adult collections.)
   • If the specimen was collected by syringe, quickly transfer the specimen into the vials (aerobic bottle first, then the anaerobic bottle for adult collections).  Do NOT allow the specimen to clot.
5. Specimens should be transported to the laboratory as soon as possible.  If delay in transport is unavoidable, maintain the bottle(s) at room temperature.   Specimens must be received in the laboratory within 24 hours of collection.