Blood culture

Sample type:

blood sample

Uses:

• Bacteremia

• Septicemia

• Unexpected postoperative shock

• Chills and fever in patient with UTI

• Unexplained fever of more than several day’s duration

Precautions:

Handle the sample gently to prevent hemolysis

Interfering factor:

• Blood cultures are subject to contamination, especially by skin bacteria. These organisms should therefore be identified in the laboratory.

• Nonfilterable blood is usually due to the presence of abnormal proteins.

Pre-analytical errors:

• Labeling specimens

• Contaminations of the specimens

• Preserving specimens

• Transporting of the specimens

Corrective action:

• Specimen should be labeled

• Collection should be as aseptic as possible

• Specimen should be transported quickly to prevent drying out.

Post-analytical errors:

• Delayed report

• Sent result to incorrect patient