When are blood cultures ordered
When a patient has signs of bacteremia and septicemia
In what order are blood cultures collected
Aerobic then anaerobic
Failure to properly cleanse the venipuncture site for a blood culture can lead to what
Introduction of skin-surface bacteria into the culture bottle, interfering with results
Why are blood cultures collected first
Because they are sterile and we want to prevent microbial contamination of the needle from the unsterile tops of tubes for other tests
How much blood is collected for a blood culture sample
10mL per tube
Describe the cleaning procedure for blood cultures
Rubber stopper of the culture bottle disinfected with 70% alcohol
Clean venipuncture site with chlorohexidine gluconate for 30 seconds. If not available, perform this step twice with 70% alcohol
Blood culture samples must be kept at what temperature
Room temp
What are the steps to sorting lab samples in a processing area
- Prepare sorting area (clean, prep)
- Receive samples (verify documentation, etc)
- Preliminary sorting (group based on categories such as sample type and storage requirements
- Log the samples into LIS
- Deliver samples to required areas
- Resolve any discreptancies (e.g., complete documentation for rejected samples)
Refridgerated samples are stored at what temp
2-8 degrees C
How fast can specimens with plasma be centrifuged
Immediately
Frozen samples are stored at what temp
Below -20 degrees C
How fast can specimens with serum be centrifuged
30-60 mins, should not be centrifuged until clotting is complete
What happens if you have an odd number of tubes to centrifuge
You must use a water filled tube to balance everything out.
What is an aliquot
A portion of a specimen that is used for testing
What must be included on an aliquot label
Pt Last name, first name
Pt DOB or hosp number
Accession number
Date and time collected, Phleb initials
Test requested
Serum or Plasma
Which tests cannot be performed on serum left over the clot (does not apply to serum separator tubes
Glucose
Potassium
LDH
iron
ALT
AST
What should be done to serum/plasma specimens that are to be placed in a freezer
Serum/plasma should be separated from formed elements and aliquoted into secondary tube before freezing
T/F
Whole blood specimens should be kept refrigerated rather than frozen
true - bc freezing can cause RBC lysis
