Bacterial Culture Collection and Transport Guidelines for Sterile Body Fluid Specimens (other than CSF):

• A new anaerobic vial is available from Hospital Stores (BBL™ Port-A-Cul Vial, 39060) for transport of aspirated fluid specimens with a request for anaerobic culture. Specimens that will not be cultured for anaerobes may be injected into the BD Vacutainer, No Additive tube (yellow top, sterile, 924044).



• Cleanse rubber septum of container with 70% alcohol. Allow septum to dry for 1 min before inoculating.



• Disinfect overlying skin with iodine or chlorhexidine preparation. Obtain specimen with needle and syringe. Push needle through septum of transport container and inject fluid.



• Amniotic and culdocentesis fluids should always be transported in an anaerobic system (39060). Agar in anaerobic vial should be clear before inoculation; inject fluid on top of agar.



• Submit as much fluid as possible. NEVER submit a swab dipped in fluid. NEVER inject fluid into swab container.



• One aerobic blood culture bottle (924171) inoculated at bedside (up to 10 mL) is highly recommended for sterile body fluids (other than CSF) provided adequate sample is available. If blood culture bottle is inoculated, submit separate aliquot in anaerobic vial (39060) or sterile container (924044) for preparation of cytocentrifuged Gram stain and inoculation of solid media (allows quantitation of growth, aids in culture interpretation).



• Transport time ≤15 min, room temperature.

Additional information regarding Microbiology Specimen Collection and Transport is available in the online Pathology Laboratory Services Handbook. Questions may be directed to Dr. Sandra Richter (356-2990) or Dr. Dan Diekema (384-5626).