Blood Cultures: Collection Best Practices

Course Objectives

Demonstrate an understanding of why one needs blood cultures
Examine signs and symptoms of systemic infections and when to see a physician
Analyze different types of blood culture bottles
Identify different methods of collection
Evaluate best practices

Course Content

Course Creator: Kirsten Hermens NCMA-P

Total CE Hours: 1 Credit Hour

Pace Course #: 586-2408-25
Key Terms:
Aerobic
Anaerobic
Bacteremia
Chlorhexidine
Contamination
Cubital Fossa
Culture Medium
Empirical
Eukaryotic Cell
Facultative Anaerobes
Fungemia
Gram Stain
Prokaryotic Cell
Sepsis
Septic Shock

Outline:

Introduction
Key terms
Understanding Blood Cultures
- Blood cultures
- Confirmation
- Identify Etiology: Processing
  - Prokaryotic: Bacteria Characteristics
  - Eukaryotic: Fungi Characteristics
- Source
- Treatment: Antimicrobial Therapy
- Scenario
Signs and Symptoms
- Generally Mild
- Increased Risk Factors
- Needs for Medical Attention
- Scenario
Different Types of Blood Cultures
- Adult
  - Aerobic
  - Anaerobic
- Pediatric
  - Aerobic
Different Methods of Collection
- Performed By CPT-1:
  - Winged Infusion Set
  - Syringe
- Performed By CPT-2 or Higher:
  - PICC
  - Port
- Scenario
Evaluating Best Collections
- ID / Requisition / Order
- Relevant Patient History
- Venipuncture Supplies
- Site Selection Criteria
- Aseptic Techniques
  - CPT
  - Patient
- Timing is Everything
- Volume
  - Adult
  - Pediatric
- Documentation
- Incubation, Confirmation
- Contamination Rates
- Scenario
Applying Preventative Measures
- Washing Hands and Hygiene
- Cough and Sneeze Etiquette
- Wound Care
- Food Preparations
- Exercise
- Intimacy
- Travel
- Environmental

References:

Novak-Weekley, S. M., & Dunne, W. M., Jr (2018). Blood Culture: A key investigation for diagnosis of bloodstream infections. BioMerieux. https://doi.org/University Hospital Southampton
(2024, November 28). Bacteria Culture. Pathology Tests Explained. https://www.pathologytestsexplained.org.au/ptests.php?q=Blood%20culture
(2018, August 8). Differences Between Bacteria and Fungi. Bio Differences. https://biodifferences.com/difference-between-bacteria-and-fungi.html
Wu, L., Bao, F., Li, L., Yin, X., & Hua, Z. (2022). Bacterially mediated drug delivery and therapeutics: Strategies and advancements. Science Direct, 187(114363). https://doi.org/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0169409X22002538
(2024, February 15). Blood Cultures. AUS Med. https://www.ausmed.com.au/learn/articles/blood-cultures
(2024, August 12). Aerobic vs Anaerobic Blood Culture. Magnolia Medical. https://magnolia-medical.com/blog/aerobic-vs-anaerobic-blood-culture/
(2021, November 24). Bacteria Culture Test. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/22155-bacteria-culture-test
(2025, January 8). Aerobic Blood Culture Bottle. Biology Insights. https://biologyinsights.com/aerobic-blood-culture-bottles-key-to-microbial-detection/
Fauntleroy, G. (2019). CVC PICC vs Ports. Healthline. https://doi.org/https://www.healthline.com/health/breast-cancer-navigator/central-venous-catheters-picc-lines-versus-ports
Gonzalez, M. D., Chao, T., & Pettengill, M. A. (2020). Modern Blood Culture: Management Decisions and Method Options. Clinics in Laboratory Medicine, 40(4), 379. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cll.2020.07.001
(2023, October 13). Blood Culture. Medline Plus. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003744.htm
(2022, September 6). Bacterial Infection Blood. Very Well Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/bacterial-infection-blood-5498841
Merz, B. (2021). How to Prevent Infections. Harvard Women's Health Watch. https://doi.org/https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-prevent-infections
(2020, May 20). Personal Hygiene. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/personal-hygiene