Collection Instructions

Specimen Type: Whole blood 
Container(s): BACTEC MycoF Vial (preferred) or Green top (Sodium Heparin) or Green top (Lithium Heparin)

Preferred Volume to Collect: 5 mL

Minimum Volume to Collect: 3 mL

• Recommendations for detection of infection:
  • Acute sepsis: Collect 2 to 3 sets of blood cultures from separately prepared sites prior to starting antibiotic therapy.
  • Acute endocarditis: Collect 3 sets of blood cultures with three separate venipunctures over 1 to 2 hours, prior to starting antibiotic therapy.
  • Sub-acute bacterial endocarditis: Collect 3 sets of blood cultures in 24 hours. If all are negative after 24 hours, obtain physician order for 3 additional sets
• Newly admitted HEME/ONC from ED/Clinic:
  • Draw at least 3 mL off of each line and place blood in aerobic FAN plus blood culture bottle
  • If there is mucositis or abdominal concerns present, draw an extra 3 mL from each line and the peripheral vein and put into an anaerobic blood culture bottle 
• Already hospitalized HEME/ONC inpatient 
  • Draw 1-3 mL off each line and put into an aerobic FAN bottle
  • If there is mucositis or abdominal concerns present, draw 3 mL off each line and put into an anaerobic bottle.
  • If this is the first temperature spike, blood should be drawn from a peripheral vein and placed into an aerobic FAN bottle and into an anaerobic bottle if there is mucositis present
  • Unless otherwise ordered, peripheral cultures are not necessary for subsequent fever spike.
  • If a fungal infection is suspected, test must be ordered, and 1-5 mL of blood should be drawn in the BD BACTEC Myco/F Lytic bottle
• Adult Line-related sepsis:
  • Draw one set via the line in addition to the routine blood drawn peripherally.
• If a provider suspects an anaerobic infection (intra-abdominal infections, severe immunocompromised status, etc), requests may be made that the specimen be split between aerobic and anaerobic bottles.

• COREWELL HEALTH WEST (CHW):

  Multiple specimen collection types. Submit only one:

  Preferred Specimen Collection: Whole blood 

  Container(s): BACTEC MycoF Vial (preferred) 

  Preferred Volume to Collect: 5 mL

  Minimum Volume to Collect: 3 mL

  Neonate Minimum Volume: 1.0 mL per year of life

  Collection Instructions:

• Patient's full name, date and time of collection are required.
• For detailed collection instructions: Policytech reference #9953
• Disinfect venipuncture site and allow to air dry.
• Label bottles with patient’s full name, date and time of collection, draw site, and volume in the patient’s presence.
• Transport the bottles to the laboratory as soon as possible.