Specimen Type/Requirements

Blood Culture Collection Guide

TIMING OF COLLECTION:
Blood cultures are drawn prior to antibiotic therapy.
1. Acute Sepsis: 2 sets of cultures from 2 different sites, if possible.
2. Endocarditis, acute: 3 sets of cultures from 3 different sites over 1-2 hours.
3. Endocarditis, sub-acute: 3 sets of cultures from 3 different sites taken 15 minutes apart. If negative at 24 hours, obtain 3 more sets.
4. Fever of unknown origin: 2 separate sets of blood cultures one hour apart. If negative at 24 hours, obtain 2 more sets of blood cultures.

NOTE: Final reports on positive cultures may take longer.

Additional blood culture bottles may be drawn when indicated by clinical symptoms or diagnosis.