Blood culture sampling

[Rhodes, Deborah]

Thank you Irene for your response.
You are correct in saying that as a ‘general rule’ blood cultures should
not be taken out of IV lines.
The following patient scenarios may clarify when the ‘general rules’ do
not apply, requiring blood cultures to be taken from IV lines:

1.Brand new, aseptically inserted vascular devices can be used to
sample from and may be done so whilst the patient is still draped for
insertion.
2.If the invasive device is suspected to be the source of
infection, then comparison cultures between the line and the peripheral
stab can be used to confirm this (using time to positivity studies).
3.Where peripheral puncture fails, or is contraindicated, in the
presence of an invasive device it is the only port to sample from.
4.PICC lines are occasionally inserted essentially because all
other means of access is unavailable.

Because we know the above scenarios do occur, we are seeking advice for
safe transference of blood from syringe to blood culture bottle.
Many thanks
Kind regards
Deb Rhodes
Infection Prevention Project Nurse
Infection Prevention & Healthcare Epidemiology Unit
m 0429418495
p 4066
t 03 90763139 e D.Rhodes@alfred.org.au

Alfred Health
55 Commercial Road
Melbourne VIC 3004
PO Box 315 Prahran
VIC 3181 Australia

Alfred Health incorporates The Alfred, Caulfield Hospital and
Sandringham Hospital
http://www.alfredhealth.org.au

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[Wilkinson, Irene (Health)]

Thank you Deb for the clarification, I am much relieved!
And I acknowledge the potential exceptions you highlight below.

I’ll let others more knowledgeable respond to your specific question, but are there not suitable safety devices that could be used instead of a syringe?

Regards,

Irene Wilkinson
Manager, Infection Control Service
SA Health
Irene.wilkinson@health.sa.gov.au

Thank you Irene for your response.

You are correct in saying that as a ‘general rule’ blood cultures should not be taken out of IV lines.

The following patient scenarios may clarify when the ‘general rules’ do not apply, requiring blood cultures to be taken from IV lines:

1. Brand new, aseptically inserted vascular devices can be used to sample from and may be done so whilst the patient is still draped for insertion.
2. If the invasive device is suspected to be the source of infection, then comparison cultures between the line and the peripheral stab can be used to confirm this (using time to positivity studies).
3. Where peripheral puncture fails, or is contraindicated, in the presence of an invasive device it is the only port to sample from.
4. PICC lines are occasionally inserted essentially because all other means of access is unavailable.
Because we know the above scenarios do occur, we are seeking advice for safe transference of blood from syringe to blood culture bottle.

Many thanks
Kind regards

Deb Rhodes
Infection Prevention Project Nurse
Infection Prevention & Healthcare Epidemiology Unit
m 0429418495
p 4066
t 03 90763139 e D.Rhodes@alfred.org.au

Alfred Health
55 Commercial Road
Melbourne VIC 3004
PO Box 315 Prahran
VIC 3181 Australia

[cid:706185101@25072013-24C6]

Alfred Health incorporates The Alfred, Caulfield Hospital and Sandringham Hospital
http://www.alfredhealth.org.au

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error, please notify us by return email and delete all copies in your system. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. Alfred Health is not liable for the proper and complete transmission of the information contained in this communication or for any delay in its receipt.

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Messages posted to this list are solely the opinion of the authors, and do not represent the opinion of ACIPC.

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Messages posted to this list are solely the opinion of the authors, and do not represent the opinion of ACIPC.

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