Testing Laboratory
Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland HospitalDepartment
Microbiology
Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)
BBC
Test Code (Numeric Code)
2805
Laboratory Handling
Phlebotomy
Strict adherence to aseptic technique is essential. Blood cultures are always inoculated first in the order of draw.
Transport
Please take care to place blood culture bottles in a head-to-tail position before placing back into the biohazard transport bag. This makes it easier to fit the bag into the pneumatic carrier tube.
Sample Stability
24 Hours
Associated Tests
Synonyms
Bacteraemia
Turnaround Time
5 days
Gram stain reports on positives are notified immediately. Identification and susceptibility tests of isolates are available 18-48 hours later. Negatives are reported automatically after 5 days incubation.
Specimen Type
- Whole Blood
Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Blood Culture Set
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)
15
Minimum Sample Volume (ml)
10
No of Samples Required
2
Paediatric Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Paediatric Blood Culture Bottle
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)
5
Minimum Sample Volume (ml)
3
Pre-testing Requirements
After palpation, the venepuncture site must be cleansed with 70% Isopropyl or Ethyl alcohol. Swab concentrically, starting at the centre. Allow to dry before inserting the needle. If further palpation of the vein is necessary, the finger must be disinfected or a sterile glove worn. Inoculate the bottles directly. DO NOT change needles. Mix inoculated bottles immediately. Do not cover the base of the bottle or the barcode with the label.
Additional Specimen Information
VOLUME:
This volume of blood cultured has the most impact on the yield. In adults a minimum of 20-30mls of blood should be cultured per septic episode.
For paediatric patients see the Starship Clinical Guidelines in Resources section below - Blood Cultures: When, Where and How to Take.
NUMBER OF SETS AND TIMING:
1. Sepsis Pathway: Collect at least two sets of blood cultures at the same time.
2. Other indications: Collect at least two sets of blood cultures over a brief period of time. Waiting one hour between sets is not required.
3. Repeating blood cultures after treatment is only indicated for certain situations such as complicated Staphylococcus aureus infections, candidaemia, and multi-antimicrobial resistant Gram-negative bacteraemia.
MEDIA:
Adults:
One set consists of two bottles:
1) Plus Aerobic/ F culture vial (Blue top),
2) Lytic/10 Anaerobic/ F culture vial (purple top)
Paediatric patients:
Use a single bottle of Peds Plus/F culture vial (Silver top).
The bottles contain resins that bind to and inactivate antibiotics.
Anaerobic blood culture is not routine for children.
Mycobacteraemia:
If mycobacteraemia is suspected - special media (Myco/F lytic culture vial) is required and is available from the Microbiology Department on request.
Collect a maximum of 5 ml into Myco-F-Lytic blood Culture Bottles. See Mycobacterial Culture (Blood Culture/Bone Marrow) for more information.
Last updated: 08/07/2026