Preferred Sample Type
10ml, 1-3ml in neonates
Specimen Transport
Please DO NOT send Blood Culture samples via the pneumatic air tubesTurnaround Time
3 daysSample Stability
Negative Blood Cultures retained for 5 days. Positive Blood Cultures for 2 weeks.Blood Culture
Notes
Positive results telephoned. 48 hour and 36 hour negative reports are sent out. No further report will be issued unless an organism is subsequently isolated. All relevant clinical details including foreign travel, immune status etc should be included on the request form.
Blood cultures should never be refrigerated before sending to laboratory. Do not use pod system for transport of blood culture to the lab.