Specimen Requirements

1. Contact microbiology laboratory for instructions on specimen collection and to obtain routine blood culture bottles.
2. 20 mL (10 mL in aerobic bottle and 10 mL in anaerobic bottle) of whole blood drawn with butterfly directly into special collection bottles. It is advisable that 2 sets of blood cultures be drawn (same time, different sites).
3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note: 1. To avoid contamination, blood culture collection protocol must be followed.
2. Indicate specimen source on specimen container and in computer.