Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Whole blood

Container/Tube: BacT/ALERT bottles-FA (green-aerobic), SN (maroon-anaerobic), pediatric PF (yellow)

Specimen Volume:

Adults (5 years or greater): 5 to 10 mL per bottle (10 mL per bottle is optimal, do not exceed 10 mL per bottle)

Pediatrics (0-4 years): 0.1 to 4 mL per bottle (1 mL per year of age per bottle is optimal)

Collection Instructions:

1. Specimen should not be collected from a vascular access device unless specifically ordered by the physician.

2. Two sets of cultures are recommended drawn 15 minutes apart or at same time from different sites.

3. Wipe rubber tops of BacT/ALERT bottles with alcohol prep pad.

4. Select optimal venipuncture site.

5. Apply ChloraPrep by vigorously scrubbing the skin in a back and forth manner with the ChloraPrep applicator for 30 seconds.

6. Allow ChloraPrep to dry approximately 30 seconds. Do not touch the venipuncture site after skin is prepped. If absolutely necessary, you may palpate the vein just above or just below the venipuncture site, but only after prepping the gloved finger with ChloraPrep.

7. Apply tourniquet and draw 20 mL of blood with sterile syringe and needle. If a vein is missed and a second venipuncture is required, a new needle must be used.

8. After venipuncture, loosen the tourniquet and apply pressure to site with gauze pad.

9. Add blood to each bottle using a blood transfer device. Inoculate the anaerobic (maroon) bottle first. Discard needle in a SHARPS container.

10. Apply a bandage to the venipuncture site.

11. Label bottles appropriately. Be sure to mark on the label the date and time of collection, collector’s initials, volume of blood placed into the bottle, and collection site.