Optimally, collection should be made prior to antibiotic therapy.

Please record in clinical notes if  Brucella, Fungi, Mycobacteria, Leptospira culture is indicated as they require different procedures for isolation. For assistance telephone Microbiology, ph: 9496 5295.

Mark collections with site such as red lumen or peripheral etc.

At all times, Aerobic Bottles should be inoculated first.

Adult patients

• Inoculate 8 to 10 mL of blood per bottle for standard aerobic and anaerobic pair. If Fungi and Mycobacteria are indicated please inoculate 1 to 5 ml blood per single mycolytic bottle.
• 2 sets per febrile episode.
• No more than four sets should be submitted per 24 hr period, as additional cultures do not improve organism recovery.
• Mark collections with site such as red lumen or peripheral etc.

Paediatric Patients

• Inoculate 1 to 3 mL per bottle (minimum of 0.5 mL in neonates).
  1 aerobic Paediatric bottle per febrile set (unless anaerobes* are indicated),
• 2 sets per episode.
• *If history is suggestive of anaerobes such as abdominal sepsis, sinusitis, abscess, tissue necrosis etc, also inoculate an anaerobic bottle.
• Mark collections with site such as red lumen or peripheral etc.

Collection Procedure

• Disinfect venepuncture site using 0.5% chlorhexidine in 70% alcohol
• Collecting with Syringe
  • Disinfect the rubber septum of each bottle with an alcohol wipe
    Aseptically collect blood into a syringe
  • Do not change the needle before distributing the appropriate volume per bottle (changing increases needle-stick injuries)
• Collecting with Vacutainer adaptor for blood culture bottles
  • Sterilise the rubber septum of each bottle with an alcohol wipe
  • Aseptically collect the appropriate volume of blood directly into each blood culture bottle

Labelling Procedure

Label bottles with:

• Patient name and UR number
• Time of specimen collection
• Site, if not venous
• Clinical notes including endocarditis if suspected