Overview
MDL Test Name
Blood Culture
MDL Test Code
BLD_CULT
Ask at Order Questions
N/A
Specimen Source
Blood (specify collection site)
Specimen Requirements
Container/Tube
Adults: Recommend one FA Plus and one FN Plus bottle per order*
Pediatric: Recommend one PF Plus bottle per order
Recommended Total Volume and Numbers of Blood Cultures**
Weight in kg (lb)
# of Orders/# of sites
Culture Order set 1:
Site 1
Volume/Bottle
Culture Order set 2:
Site 2
Volume/Bottle
Total Blood Volume Drawn
≤ 1 (2.2lbs)
1 order / 1 site
0.5-2mL / one PF
Plus
-
0.5-2mL
1.1-2 (2.4-5lbs)
2 orders / 2 sites
0.5-2mL / PF Plus
0.5-2mL / PF Plus
1-4mL
2.1-12.7 (5-28lbs)
2 orders / 2 sites
4mL / one PF Plus
2 mL / one PF
Plus
6mL
12.8-36.3 (28-80lbs)
2 orders / 2 sites
5mL / one FA Plus
5mL / one FA Plus
10mL
>36.3 (80lbs)
[Treat as Adult]
2 orders / 2 sites
20mL / 10mL in
each FA Plus & FN Plus
20mL / 10mL in
each FA Plus & FN Plus
40mL
*If unable to collect the full volume required for both FA Plus and FN Plus bottles, we will accept only an FA Plus bottle or only a PF Plus bottle if necessary.
Specimen Volume (minimum)
FA Plus and FN Plus Bottles: minimum 4mL; maximum 10 mL
PF Plus Bottles: minimum 0.5 mL; maximum 4mL
Sample Stability Time
24 hours
Please notify MDL if a STAT courier is needed to meet this time.
Transport/Storage Conditions
Ambient (20 – 25°C); maintain at room temperature
DO NOT REFRIGERATE
Patient Preparation / Collection Instructions
Refer to Blood Culture Collection Instructions
Performance
Days Performed
Daily; Monday – Sunday
Report Available (TAT) – (Once received at MDL)
5 – 7 days
Specimen Retention Time
7 days
Method Description
Culture using automated continuous monitoring system
Reference Values
No growth
Cautions
Do not use expired bottles
The media used may not support the growth of some organisms. There are a number of fastidious microorganisms that infect the blood that cannot be grown in routine cultures of blood. If looking for a specific organism, please reach out to MDL prior to ordering to determine if we can support your request.
A negative culture result does not necessarily rule out bacteremia; false-negative results occur when pathogens fail to grow.
False-positive results can occur when contaminants from the collection process grow. Consideration of the full clinical picture and results of multiple blood culture sets should be used when determining if bacteremia is present.
This order request is for blood cultures incubated within MDL’s continuous monitoring system. If you are a clinical site that incubates their own bottles and is sending only a previously incubated, positive bottle then please reference order: Blood Culture (POSITIVE) - Identification and Susceptibility (POSBLD_CULT).
References**
1. Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook. 4th Ed. ASM. ASM Press. Washington DC, 2016.