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Department

Microbiology

Preferred Sample Type

Blood Culture
10ml, 1-3ml in neonates

Specimen Transport

Please DO NOT send Blood Culture samples via the pneumatic air tubes

Turnaround Time

3 days

Sample Stability

Negative Blood Cultures retained for 5 days. Positive Blood Cultures for 2 weeks.

Blood Culture

Patient Preparation

Procedure for taking blood culture BLOOD CULTURE PROCEDURE

See also GUIDELINES

Notes

Positive results telephoned. 48 hour and 36 hour negative reports are sent out. No further report will be issued unless an organism is subsequently isolated. All relevant clinical details including foreign travel, immune status etc should be included on the request form.

Blood cultures should never be refrigerated before sending to laboratory. Do not use pod system for transport of blood culture to the lab.