Blood Culture Collections
Source Test Name Additional Names Specimen Requirements Collection Container Processing Information / Additional Information Additional
Transport Requisitions
Blood Blood Culture Bacillus (Anthrax) If Antrhrax, Brucella, Burkholderia Aerobic Bottle: ***CRITICAL LAB Order Mnemonic/ OM Order
Brucella (Brucellosis) pseudomallei or Francisella (tularemia) is BacT/ALERT FA (green) SPECIMEN*** Name:
Burkholderia pseudomallei suspected, please contact microbiologist Anaerobic ROOM TEMPERATURE Adult: CUBLOOD/ Blood C&S -
(Meloidosis) before collecting specimen as special Bottle:BacT/ALERT FN STORAGE Venipuncture
Endocarditis laboratory precautions are required. (orange) ***Do NOT refrigerate** !!IMPORTANT ** Order count
Epiglottitis Pediatric Transport to lab ASAP defaults to 2**
Francisella (Tularemia) Lab Staff: Please refer to CS 0029 Bottle:BacT/ALERT PF !!Edit count to 1 if only one set or
HACEK bacteria "Collecting a Blood Sample for Blood (yellow) one bottle was collected
Listeria (Listeriosis) Culture Procedure" in SoftTech Adult line collection:
Neisseria meningitidis CUBLOODLINE/ Blood C&S - Line
(Meningococcal) Adults: Collect 2 sets concurrently from 2 Collection
Salmonella (Typhoid different venipuncture sites each set Pediatric (<20kg): CUBLOODP/
Fever) consisting of one AEROBIC and one Blood C&S -Pediatric <35kg
Streptobacillus (Rat Bite ANAEROBIC bottle. Routine blood culture includes
Fever) If one set of cultures is drawn from an culture for yeast (no need for
indwelling vascular line, then separate order)
this MUST be paired with an additional set Please specify specific bacterial
drawn peripherally (venipuncture). pathogens that may be suspected.
Optimal volume per bottle is 8-10ml.If less Please indicate if patient has
than 3 ml blood obtained, put entire prosthetic device, valve implant.
collection into "pediatric" bottle. If Anthrax, Brucella, Burkholderia
Collection of more than 2 sets (4 bottles) pseudomallei or Francisella is
from an adult patient in a 24 hour period suspected, please contact
(including endovascular infections / microbiologist before collecting
endocarditis) is not recommended and specimen
requires approval of microbiologist / Blood cultures are continuously
pathologist. monitored and all positive results
are phoned
Pediatric (<20kg): Collect one pediatric
bottle.
Page 1 of 4 Blood Cultures July 2015
Blood Culture Collections
Source Test Name Additional Names Specimen Requirements Collection Container Processing Information / Additional Information Additional
Transport Requisitions
Blood Candida/Yeast Lab Staff: Please refer to CS 0029 Aerobic Bottle: ***CRITICAL LAB Order Mnemonic/ OM Order
Culture "Collecting a Blood Sample for Blood BacT/ALERT FA (green) SPECIMEN*** Name:
Culture Procedure" in SoftTech Anaerobic ROOM TEMPERATURE Adult: CUBLOOD/ Blood C&S -
Bottle:BacT/ALERT FN STORAGE Venipuncture
Adults: Collect 2 sets concurrently from 2 (orange) ***Do NOT refrigerate** !!IMPORTANT ** Order count
different venipuncture sites each set Pediatric Transport to lab ASAP defaults to 2**
consisting of one AEROBIC and one Bottle:BacT/ALERT PF !!Edit count to 1 if only one set or
ANAEROBIC bottle. (yellow) one bottle was collected
If one set of cultures is drawn from an Adult line collection:
indwelling vascular line, then CUBLOODLINE/ Blood C&S - Line
this MUST be paired with an additional set Collection
drawn peripherally (venipuncture). Pediatric (<20kg): CUBLOODP/
Optimal volume per bottle is 8-10ml.If less Blood C&S -Pediatric <35kg
than 3 ml blood obtained, put entire Routine blood culture includes
collection into "pediatric" bottle. culture for yeast (No need for
Collection of more than 2 sets (4 bottles) separate order)
from an adult patient in a 24 hour period Please indicate if patient has
(including endovascular infections / prosthetic device, valve implant.
endocarditis) is not recommended and Blood cultures are continuously
requires approval of microbiologist / monitored and all positive results
pathologist. are phoned
Pediatric (<20kg): Collect one pediatric
bottle.
Blood Fungal Culture Blastomyces If Blastomyces, Coccidioides, Histoplasma SPS or heparin tube ***CRITICAL LAB Order Mnemonic/ OM Order Complete PHSA
(Dimorphic/Filam Coccidioides or Paracoccidoides suspected, consult SPECIMEN*** Name: Laboratories
entous) Cryptococcus microbiologist before collecting specimen ROOM TEMPERATURE MYCBLOOD/ Fungus- Blood/Bone Bacteriology &
Dimorphic fungi as special laboratory precautions are STORAGE Marrow Mycology
Histoplasma required. ***Do NOT refrigerate** If Blastomyces, Coccidioides, Requisition
Paracoccidoides Minimum 5 ml of blood collected into SPS Transport to lab ASAP Histoplasma or Paracoccidoides
tube. suspected, consult microbiologist
SPS is preferred anticoagulant but citrate before collecting specimen.
or heparin are acceptable
Clotted blood is unacceptable for fungal
examination
Page 2 of 4 Blood Cultures July 2015
Blood Culture Collections
Source Test Name Additional Names Specimen Requirements Collection Container Processing Information / Additional Information Additional
Transport Requisitions
Blood Mycobacterium AFB Culture Minimum 5 ml of blood collected into SPS SPS or heparin tube ***CRITICAL LAB Order Mnemonic/ OM Order Complete PHSA
(TB) Culture TB Culture tube. SPECIMEN*** Name: Laboratories
SPS is preferred anticoagulant but citrate ROOM TEMPERATURE TBBLOOD/ TB/Mycobacteria- Mycobacteria/
or heparin are acceptable STORAGE Blood/Bone Mar TB Requisition
***Do NOT refrigerate**
Transport to lab ASAP
Blood Bacterial Meningococcal Consult with microbiologist prior to EDTA tube- Store refrigerated (4ºC) or LAB Order Mnemonic/ OM Order Complete IH
Antigen/PCR Neisseria meningitidis specimen collection. 2ml whole blood at room temperature. Name: outpatient
(NAAT) Ship to BC Children's and ***Only orderable by LAB requisition with
Women's Hospital MENINGOC/ Meningococcus PCR contact
microbiology laboratory information for
MRP and
Routine testing is offered patient
Mon-Fri. Urgent testing symptoms/
requires C&W antibiotics.
microbiologist approval.
Bone Marrow C&S (Routine Prepare site as if for surgical incision Pediatric blood culture ***CRITICAL LAB Order Mnemonic/ OM Order
Culture) before collection. bottle or SPECIMEN*** Name:
- If greater than 1 mL fluid collected, sterile screw cap ROOM TEMPERATURE CUBONEMAR/ Bone Marrow C&S
aseptically inoculate 1 mL into pediatric container STORAGE Order includes culture and
blood culture bottle and transfer ***Do NOT refrigerate** anaerobic investigation if sufficient
remainder of specimen in a sterile screw Transport to lab ASAP sample submitted.
cap container Please specify any specific bacterial
- If less than 1 mL obtained, aseptically pathogens that may be suspected.
inoculate entire specimen into pediatric
blood culture bottle.
- If less than 0.5mL direct inoculation to
culture media is recommended
Bone Marrow Fungal Culture Blastomyces If Blastomyces, Coccidioides, Histoplasma SPS or heparin tube ***CRITICAL LAB Order Mnemonic/ OM Order Complete PHSA
(Dimorphic/Filam Coccidioides or Paracoccidoides suspected, consult SPECIMEN*** Name: Laboratories
entous) Cryptococcus microbiologist before collecting ROOM TEMPERATURE MYCBLOOD/ Fungus- Blood/Bone Bacteriology &
Dimorphic fungi specimen. STORAGE Marrow Mycology
Histoplasma Aspirate 3-5ml bone marrow and transfer ***Do NOT refrigerate** If Blastomyces, Coccidioides, Requisition
Paracoccidoides into SPS tube. Transport to lab ASAP Histoplasma or Paracoccidoides
SPS is preferred anticoagulant but suspected, consult microbiologist
heparin is acceptable. before collecting specimen.
Page 3 of 4 Blood Cultures July 2015
Blood Culture Collections
Source Test Name Additional Names Specimen Requirements Collection Container Processing Information / Additional Information Additional
Transport Requisitions
Bone Marrow Mycobacterium AFB Culture Aspirate 3-5ml bone marrow and transfer SPS or heparin tube ***CRITICAL LAB Order Mnemonic/ OM Order Complete PHSA
(TB) Culture TB Culture into SPS tube. SPECIMEN*** Name: Laboratories
SPS is preferred anticoagulant but heparin ROOM TEMPERATURE TBBLOOD/ TB/Mycobacteria- Mycobacteria/
is acceptable. STORAGE Blood/Bone Mar TB Requistion
Do NOT use EDTA ***Do NOT refrigerate**
Transport to lab ASAP
Page 4 of 4 Blood Cultures July 2015
