Microbiology Collections
Blood and Body Fluids
| Site or Specimen: Blood (Peripheral) | |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Chlorhexidine 2% prep can be used, or Cleanse skin with 70% alcohol followed by 2% tincture of iodine (an iodophor may be substituted). |
| Type, Number or Volume | Routine collection must be 2 sets; Adults 15ml per set; infants 1-3ml, for bacterial endocarditis draw 3 specimens at least 1 hour apart in a 24 hour period; 4-6 specimens in 48 hours if intermittent bacteremias. |
| Container or Transport Device | Blood Culture bottles for direct inoculation. Volume of blood in each bottle:
|
| Technique | Sterile venipuncture into syringe or directly in collection tube with adapter; catheters should not be used. |
| Comments | Deliver to lab as soon as possible. Do not refrigerate. Due to possible contamination, draw from IV lines as last resort. |
| Site or Specimen: Catheters (Central or peripheral) Vascular cannulae, CVP lines, umbilical or IV catheters |
|
| Preparation | Cleanse skin with mild antiseptic, cut catheter with sterile scissors. |
| Type, Number or Volume | For 50-75mm catheter, one segment 50mm long; for 200-600mm catheter two segments 50mm long (one from skin interface, one from within vessel, i.e. tip). |
| Container or Transport Device | Sterile tube or container. |
| Technique | Take specimen from afflicted area, preferably including fresh secretions. |
| Comments | Most valuable for assessing infection from catheters with local signs of inflammation. Does not replace blood culture. |
| Body Fluids (other than CSF, Ascites, Joint Cavity or Percardial Pleural) | |
| Preparation | Surgical skin preparation and sterile instruments. |
| Type, Number or Volume | Several milliliters are desirable, but may not be obtainable (2-5ml required). |
| Container or Transport Device | Sterile tube for cultures. Container with anticoagulant (heparin) for cell count only. |
| Technique | Sterile aspiration with syringe. Ascites fluid may be quite proteineous or may clot. |
| Comments | To lab within 1 hour. Do not add fluids which may precipitate protein and interfere with cell count. |
| CSF (Cerebrospinal fluid) | |
| Preparation | Cleanse skin with 70% alcohol followed by 2% tincture of iodine (an iodophor may be substituted). Chlorhexidine 2% prep, drape with sterile linen, and collect fluid for bacteriology first. |
| Type, Number or Volume | 1-2 ml for bacteria, 5-10 ml for fungi and myco-bacteria. |
| Container or Transport Device | Leak proof sterile screw top tube. |
| Technique | Sterile lumbar puncture by physician. Ventricular or suboccipital tap. Collect 3-5 tubes. |
| Comments | Send to lab immediately. Do not refrigerate. |