Specimen Requirements

BACT/ALERT ^TM blood culture bottles are required.

For adults - two BC sets are strongly recommended.

Pediatrics (0 days-9 years)
Container/Tube: 1 BACT/ALERT PEDS PLUS^TM blood culture bottle

Specimen Volume: 1 mL to 3 mL of whole blood

Collection Instructions: Collect specimen as follows:

1. Sterilize top of blood culture bottle with alcohol.
2. Apply tourniquet to patient’s arm.
3. Palpate area to locate vein.
4. Sterilize area with alcohol and then 2 iodine swabs; let site dry for ≥1 minute. Do not palpate vein after sterilizing area.
5. Draw blood using a butterfly collection set.
6. Inoculate blood into culture bottle. Mix blood by inverting bottles 4 or 5 times.

Note: 1. Label bottle with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number, and date and actual time of draw.

2. Specimen source is required.

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Adults (≥10 years)
Container/Tube: BACT/ALERT ^TM Aerobic and BACT/ALERT^TM Anaerobic blood culture bottles

Specimen Volume: 16 mL to 20 mL of whole blood

Collection Instructions: Collect specimen as follows:

1. Sterilize tops of blood culture bottles with alcohol.
2. Apply tourniquet to patient’s arm.
3. Palpate area to locate vein.
4. Sterilize area with alcohol and then 2 iodine swabs; let site dry for ≥1 minute. Do not palpate vein after sterilizing area.
5. Draw blood using a butterfly collection set.
6. Inoculate 8 mL to 10 mL of blood into aerobic bottle and 8 mL to 10 mL of blood into anaerobic bottle. Mix blood by inverting bottles 4 or 5 times.

Note: 1. Label bottles with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number, and date and actual time of draw.

2. Specimen source is required.