The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Blood Culture Collection Policy

Version No.: 1.2

Effective From: 14 December 2017
Expiry Date: 14 December 2020
Date Ratified: 08 December 2017
Ratified By: Infection Prevention and Control Committee

SUMMARY

This Policy was updated December 2017 to include the requirement for
PAIRED aerobic and anaerobic bottle sets in adults

 ONLY take blood cultures when appropriate to do so.

 WASH your hands with an antiseptic solution (e.g. Hibiscrub) prior to
taking blood cultures.
 CHOOSE your venepuncture site carefully.
 ALWAYS CLEAN the patient’s skin with a 2% chlorhexidine in 70%
isopropyl alcohol impregnated wipe e.g. Sani-cloth or Clinell for 20-30
seconds and allow to air dry prior to taking blood cultures.
 ALWAYS USE an ASEPTIC NON TOUCH TECHNIQUE (ANTT) to obtain
the blood sample.
 DO NOT re-palpate the skin after cleaning.
 ALWAYS inoculate blood culture bottles FIRST.

1 Introduction

Blood culture is considered to be the “gold-standard” investigation for the detection

of micro-organisms in blood. Culturing microorganisms from blood can provide
invaluable information relating to the diagnosis of bacteraemiae and indeed the
cause of many infective conditions, whilst helping to guide subsequent therapy. Used
appropriately, blood cultures can help reduce morbidity and mortality.

Conversely, contaminated blood cultures can cause confusion and lead to

unnecessary further tests and treatments. Contamination is defined as the growth of
organisms in the blood culture bottle that were not present in the patient’s
bloodstream at the time the culture was taken. Poor practice in the taking of blood
cultures can also result in the introduction of organisms into the bloodstream with
potentially catastrophic consequences for the patient.

The source of contamination / infection could be patient’s skin, equipment used in

blood collection or the hands of person collecting blood culture. This is of concern
because of the risk to patient safety. However this can also have financial
implications, both in terms of direct costs and through adversely affecting national
surveillance targets. The Department of Health’s Saving Lives document estimates
that blood culture contamination rates could be as high as 10%.

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This policy aims to ensure that blood cultures are taken:
- for the correct indications;
- at the correct time and;
- using correct technique in order to prevent contamination of the sample and
minimise risk to patients and staff

2 Policy Scope

This policy is intended to inform all staff who undertake the procedure of blood
culture collection on the correct rationale and technique for this.

Blood cultures should ONLY be taken by staff that have been trained and
documented as competent to do so and are familiar with this policy. The competency
document for Nursing and AHPs can be found on the intranet under Patient
Services, Clinical Competencies.

3 Aims of the Policy

The aims of the policy are to promote best practice in the collection of blood culture
and thus reduce the number of false positive results and patient infection as well as
reducing inappropriate blood culture collection.

4 Roles and Responsibilities

4.1 The Executive Team is accountable to the Trust Board for ensuring Trust-
wide compliance with policy.

4.2 The Chief Executive has overall responsibility for implementation, monitoring
and review of this policy. This responsibility is delegated to the Director of
Infection Prevention and Control (DIPC).

4.3 The Infection Prevention and Control Committee (IPCC) will review and
ratify the policy and any new evidence base within the time frame set out in
the policy.

4.4 The Infection Prevention and Control Team (IPCT) are responsible giving
IPC advice as necessary and for assisting with the review of this policy to
ensure the policy contains current evidence based guidance.

4.5 Clinical Directors, Directorate Managers, Matrons, Line Managers and

Heads of Department are responsible for ensuring that policies, procedures
and access to education and training are made available to all appropriate
staff to ensure staff competence, minimise the risk of infection and ensure
clinical practice is in line with Trust policy.

4.6 All staff are responsible for ensuring they understand and implement this
policy and attend training sessions as specified in their role.

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5 Definitions

Definitions are explained throughout the policy as necessary.

6 Taking Blood Cultures

6.1 Indications for taking blood cultures

Blood cultures should only be taken when there is reason to suspect an

infection, i.e.
- Fever or hypothermia (temperature <36C or >38C)
- Unexplained hypotension (Systolic BP <90*)
- Tachycardia (Pulse >90*) and / or Tachypnoea (RR >20breaths/pm*)
- Requirement for supplemental oxygen
- Chills or rigors
- Unexplained deterioration in the patient’s condition
- ‘V’ or less on AVPU scale
- Focal signs of infection
- Purpuric rash
- Leucocytosis or Leukopenia
- Lactate >2 mmol/l*
* Parameters for adult patients only

Clinical judgement needs to be exercised and it should be remembered that

early signs of infection might be absent or minimal in the young and the
elderly.

A blood culture should only be taken if the result will affect patient
management. A blood culture should not be taken if there is no intention to
treat (e.g. the terminally ill).

Indication to take a blood culture should be determined by the team looking

after the patient and may be performed by another competent practitioner on
request of the team.

6.2 Timing of blood cultures

Blood cultures should be taken as soon as bacteraemia is suspected and

ideally before the administration of antibiotic therapy.

To achieve the greatest chance of detecting a bacteraemia it is recommended

that TWO paired sets of blood cultures are taken an hour apart from separate
sites.

If chronic or sub-acute endocarditis is suspected, at least THREE paired sets

of blood cultures should be taken ideally, if the patient’s condition permits, >6
hours apart from different sites. In patients with suspected endocarditis and
severe sepsis or septic shock at the time of presentation, TWO paired sets of
blood cultures should be taken at different times in the hour prior to
commencing empirical antibiotics.

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6.3 Ideal sites to take blood cultures from

Blood cultures should always be taken from FRESH venepuncture sites

ideally either in the anterior cubital fossa or the back of the hand. Other sites
(especially femoral stabs) should only be used as a last resort due to high
likelihood of contamination and infection. Where the person has a disability
that precludes use of these sites other sites can be considered.

Blood cultures should ONLY be taken from peripheral cannula in exceptional

circumstances when it is not possible to collect them from a fresh
venepuncture site. There is an increased risk of isolating contaminants from
blood cultures taken through a peripheral cannula. Therefore, it is imperative if
a culture can’t be taken from a fresh venepuncture site and is taken from a
cannula that it is ONLY taken with the UTMOST care AT THE TIME OF
CANNULA INSERTION and NOT thereafter under any circumstance.

6.4 Equipment required for taking a blood culture

6.4.1 Peripheral Stab

 Plastic tray (cleaned with Clinell universal sanitising wipe and allowed to dry
prior to use)
 Sterile blood collection set (Vacuette) OR Needle and 10ml Syringe
 2% chlorhexidine in 70% isopropyl alcohol impregnated swabs e.g. Clinell
skin disinfecting wipes or Sani-Cloth
 Two blood culture bottles (Aerobic and Anaerobic pair).
 Clean Tourniquet (use disposable where possible or as a minimum a
cleanable tourniquet for any venepuncture/cannulation)
 Non-sterile gloves.
 Dressing for post procedure.

6.4.2 Central line cultures

 Cleaned trolley.
 Sterile drape.
 Sterile gloves.
 2% chlorhexidine in 70% isopropyl alcohol impregnated wipes e.g. Clinell
skin disinfecting swabs or Sani-Cloth
 Two blood culture bottles (Aerobic and Anaerobic pair).
 10mls 0.9% saline flush.
 Green needle.
 Three 10ml syringes.

6.5 Recommended procedure for taking blood cultures

It is recommended that peripheral blood cultures are taken using the sterile
blood collection set (Vacuette). It is however recognised that in some
circumstances it is not possible to obtain blood using the sterile Vacuette and
therefore a recommended procedure has also been included for the needle and
syringe technique.

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6.5.1 Taking Peripheral Blood Cultures (Adults and Paediatrics)

Step 1- Preparation
Where required ensure that communication support is available to explain the
procedure.

 Clean plastic tray with a Clinell universal sanitising wipe, from inside to
outside and allow to dry
 Collect appropriate equipment and assemble, maintaining ANTT, prior to
placing into the cleaned tray. Ensuring no unnecessary packing is put into
the tray.
 Ensure the blood culture bottles to be used are in date and not already
positive (the bottom of the bottle should be green prior to inoculation).
 If the patient’s skin is visibly soiled wash with soap and water and dry
 Wash your hands with an antiseptic solution (e.g. Hibiscrub).
 Explain and obtain consent for the procedure from the patient.
 Remove the plastic cover top of the blood culture bottles and disinfect
each rubber bung top with a new 2% chlorhexidine in 70% isopropyl
alcohol impregnated wipe for 20-30 seconds and allow to air dry.

Step 2a – Taking the sample using needle and syringe

 Apply tourniquet and palpate the vein.
 Clean hands with alcohol hand rub and don non-sterile gloves.
 Disinfect the skin with a 2% chlorhexidine in 70% isopropyl alcohol
impregnated wipe for 20-30 seconds and allow to air dry for 30 seconds.
 Insert the needle (Do not palpate the vein again after cleaning the skin).
 Collect the sample maintaining ANTT throughout the procedure
 For paediatrics collect the sample. 1-2 ml for neonates, 2-3ml for
infants, 3-5 ml in pre-teen children and 10 ml in young adults.
o Note for paediatrics a single blood culture collection bottle is used
 Release the tourniquet and apply pressure to achieve haemostasis.
 Cover the puncture site with the appropriate dressing.
 Inoculate the blood into culture bottles (If blood is being collected for other
tests ALWAYS inoculate the blood culture bottles first).
 AVOID completely emptying the syringe into the ANAEROBIC (purple)
bottle as air may enter the bottle.
 Do not change the needle between sample collection and inoculation.

Step 2b – Taking the sample using vacuette system

 Apply tourniquet and palpate the vein.
 Clean hands with alcohol hand rub and don non-sterile gloves.
 Disinfect the skin with a 2% chlorhexidine in 70% isopropyl alcohol
impregnated wipe for 20-30 seconds and allow to air dry for 30 seconds.
 Use sterile blood culture collection kit if available, if not attach the butterfly
blood collection set to the adapter cap maintaining ANTT.
 Insert the needle (Do not palpate the vein again after cleaning the skin).
 Place the adapter cap over each blood culture bottle in turn, piercing the
rubber bung to collect the sample, and maintaining ANTT throughout the
procedure.

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 Fill the AEROBIC (blue) bottle first.
 Hold bottles upright and use the bottle graduation lines to gauge the
sample volume being collected.
 For paediatrics collect the sample. 1-2 ml for neonates, 2-3ml for
infants, 3-5 ml in pre-teen children and 10 ml in young adults.
o Note for paediatrics a single blood culture collection bottle is used
 If blood is being collected for other tests ALWAYS inoculate the blood
culture bottles first.
 Collect the sample then release the tourniquet and apply pressure to
achieve haemostasis.
 Cover the puncture site with the appropriate dressing.

Step 3 - Finishing
 Discard sharps into a sharps container at the point of use.
 Label blood culture bottles with patient’s details while with the patient.
 Remove gloves and wash hands.
 Clean procedure tray with a Clinell universal sanitising wipe
 Record the procedure in the patients’ medical notes including the
indication, date, time and site of venepuncture.

6.5.2 Taking Central Venous Catheter (CVC) Blood Cultures

Confirming that a central venous catheter is the source of an infection can be
difficult. Blood culture contaminants can create diagnostic uncertainty and
lead to the unnecessary removal of lines. Therefore, it is essential that line
cultures are only taken by appropriately trained staff and using ANTT. Paired
line and peripheral cultures should be taken at the same time, preferably
before anti-microbial therapy to aid interpretation of cultures. If the line is to be
immediately removed, it is recommended instead that the line tip is sent for
culture along with a peripheral blood culture.
Step 1 – Preparation
As for preparation when taking a peripheral blood culture.

Step 2 - Taking the sample from the central venous catheter

 Clean your hands with alcohol hand rub and don non-sterile gloves.
 Scrub the port/hub with a 2% chlorhexidine in 70% isopropyl alcohol
impregnated wipe for 20-30 seconds and allow to air dry (unless contra
indicated by manufacturers’ instructions in which case aqueous povidone
iodine can be used).
 Maintaining ANTT, withdraw 5-10 ml (adults) / 3-5ml (paediatrics) of blood
into a syringe and discard this syringe OR in specific areas follow local
protocol for use of discarded blood. For diagnosis of catheter related
sepsis this blood needs to go into the blood bottles and labelled
appropriately. Using a new syringe, withdraw the 20ml of blood for the
sample (10ml for each blood culture bottle), maintaining ANTT.
 For paediatrics collect 1-2 ml for neonates, 2-3ml for infants, 3-5 ml in
pre-teen children and 10 ml in young adults.

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  Attach the needle to this syringe or use an appropriate safety device to
inoculate 10ml blood into each blood culture bottle (If blood is being
collected for other tests ALWAYS inoculate the blood culture bottles first).
 AVOID completely emptying the syringe into the ANAEROBIC (purple)
bottle as air may enter the bottle.
 Flush the CVC line with 10mls of 0.9% saline solution using a push-pause
technique. (for paediatrics flush the line with 5-10 ml of saline)

Step 3 - Finishing
 Discard sharps into a sharps container at the point of use.
 Label the blood culture bottles with patient’s details, while with the patient.
 Dispose of equipment appropriately and wash your hands.
 Clean procedure tray with Clinell universal sanitising wipe
 Record the procedure in the patients’ medical notes including the
indication, date, time, and lines from which cultures have been taken.
 Proceed to take peripheral culture as previously described (if required).

6.6 Documentation in medical notes

After blood cultures have been taken, the procedure MUST be clearly
documented in the patient’s medical notes to aid subsequent interpretation of
positive results. The date, time, site(s) of venepuncture, indication for the
blood culture being taken and if ANTT was used should be recorded as well
as a record of who has taken the culture.

Blood cultures should in the majority of cases be requested via eRecord. If

this is not possible, conventional specimen request forms can be used. The
date, time and site of collection along with pertinent clinical details, antibiotic
exposure, details of the person responsible for taking the culture and details of
the clinical team responsible for the patient’s care should all be included on
the request form.

6.7 Transport of Blood Cultures to the laboratory

Blood cultures are processed in the Microbiology laboratory at the Freeman

Hospital. Once taken, samples should be sent to the Pathology Reception at
either the RVI or the Freeman from where they will be sent to the microbiology
laboratory to be processed.

For further details please refer to the Trusts policy on the Transport of Clinical
Specimens.

Out of hours there is no need to contact the Microbiology BMS on call to

process the sample urgently. Bottles can be taken to Pathology Reception
where they will be incubated on arrival in the Microbiology department.
Samples should NOT be refrigerated.

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6.8 Positive blood culture results

Blood cultures are routinely incubated for 5 days (for 7 days in suspected
endocarditis). Positive results will be communicated directly between the
microbiologists and the clinical team responsible for the patient as soon as the
result becomes available.

Once the culture flags positive, a Gram stain result will be available +/- a
provisional identity. Formal identity and sensitivities will usually be available
24 hours later but in some instances this may take longer. Results will be
placed on the eRecord results system.

An early report will be issued for negative blood culture results at 36hrs for
paediatric samples and 48hrs for adults. These interim results will be available
via e-Record immediately after their release. A final electronic report will be
issued for negative blood cultures after incubation is complete.

7 Training

Staff taking blood cultures MUST be trained in the blood culture collection procedure
and competence has to be assessed and maintained.

The ANTT aspects of blood culture collection are also included in the IPC eLearning
programme for Medical staff.

8 Equality and diversity

The Trust is committed to ensuring that, as far as reasonably practicable, the way we
provide services to the public and the way we treat our staff reflects their individual
needs and does not discriminate against individuals or groups on any grounds. This
policy has been appropriately assessed.

9 Monitoring compliance with this policy

Standard / Process Monitoring and audit

/ Issue Method By Committee Frequency
Proportion of Cognos search Laboratory IPC committee Quarterly
contaminated blood of Apex staff
cultures per alert
organisms by
directorate (sample
contamination rate:
<3%)
Competence in Audit of Nursing Senior Nurse IPC committee Annually
undertaking ANTT and Midwifery (Practice
staff via Development
electronic audit IPC)
and medical
staff via ESR

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10 Consultation and Review

This policy has been reviewed by the Infection Prevention Control Committee prior to
ratification and implementation. The policy will be reviewed three yearly by the
Infection Prevention Control Committee.

11 Implementation

This policy will be communicated to all Trust staff who undertake this procedure. The
policy will be made available on the intranet and summary posters displayed in areas
where blood cultures are most frequently taken.

12 References

1. UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations- Investigation of Blood Cultures

(for organisms other than Mycobacterium species). Issued by the Standards
Unit, Microbiology services, Public Health England (Bacteriology, B37, Issue
No. 8, Issue date 4/11/14
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/3
72070/B_37i8.pdf

2. Taking Blood Cultures – a summary of best practice. Saving Lives: reducing

infection, delivering clean and safe care. Department of Health, London 2007.
Accessed (14th January 2012) via Department of Health Website at:
http://hcai.dh.gov.uk/files/2011/03/Document_Blood_culture_FINAL_100826.pd
f

3. Gould FK, Denning DW and Elliott TSJ et al. Guidelines for the diagnosis and
antibiotic treatment of endocarditis in adults: a report of the Working Party of
the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. J Antimicrob Chemother
(2012). 67: 269-89.

4. Loveday, H.P. Wilson, J.A. Pratt, R.J. Golsorkhi, A. Et al. Epic 3: National
Evidence-Based Guidelines for Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections in
NHS Hospitals in England. Journal of Hospital Infection (2014). 86: S1; S1-S70.

Related Policies

 Asepsis policy
 Hand hygiene policy
 Policy for the prevention and management of Needle stick Injuries and Blood
Borne Virus Exposures
 Transport of clinical specimens policy

Page 9 of 9
 The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Equality Analysis Form A

This form must be completed and attached to any procedural document when submitted to the appropriate committee for consideration and approval.

PART 1

1. Assessment Date: 16/12/2016

2. Name of policy / strategy / service:
Blood culture collection policy

3. Name and designation of Author:

Allison Sykes, Practice Development Lead IPC, Ali Robb, Consultant Microbiologist

4. Names & designations of those involved in the impact analysis screening process:
Ashley Price, Director of IPC

5. Is this a: Policy Yes Strategy Service

Is this: New No Revised Yes
Who is affected Employees Yes Service Users Yes Wider Community

6. What are the main aims, objectives of the policy, strategy, or service and the intended outcomes? (These can be cut and pasted from your policy)
The aims of the policy are to promote best practice in the collection of blood culture and thus reduce the number of false positive
results and patient infection as well as reducing inappropriate blood culture collection

7. Does this policy, strategy, or service have any equality implications? Yes X No

If No, state reasons and the information used to make this decision, please refer to paragraph 2.3 of the Equality Analysis
Guidance before providing reasons:
8. Summary of evidence related to protected characteristics

Protected Characteristic Evidence, i.e. What evidence do you have Does evidence/engagement highlight areas of direct Does the evidence highlight any
that the Trust is meeting the needs of or indirect discrimination? If yes describe steps to areas to advance opportunities
people in various protected groups be taken to address (by whom, completion date and or foster good relations. If yes
review date) what steps will be taken? (by
whom, completion date and
review date)
Race / Ethnic origin Interpreter services provided if needed Studies show that when interpreters were
(including gypsies and to discuss and explain the procedure provided patients had a better understanding
travellers)
E&D Training for staff of their diagnoses and treatment plan than
None
patients without interpreters.
Communication support is available (section
6.5.1)
Sex (male/ female) Male and female practitioners are
available to promote the dignity of None None
patients when required
Religion and Belief None relevant to this policy When fasting people of some faiths do not
wish blood to be taken. However if a patient is
ill enough to need a blood culture they are
most likely to be persuaded of the necessity. It None
will be important to discuss the serious need to
take blood in a manner sympathetic to their
religious belief.
Sexual orientation None relevant to this policy
including lesbian, gay None None
and bisexual people
Age -Innovations to support people with
Dementia
None None
-Nurse Specialist Dementia Care
available for further advice and support
Disability – learning -Equality and Diversity training Some disabled people may not have limbs or
difficulties, physical incorporates general principles in be able to cooperate with using particular sites.
disability, sensory
impairment and mental
relation to meeting the need of Policy suggests that where the person has a
health. Consider the disabled people. disability that precludes use of these sites None
needs of carers in this -The learning disability liaison nurse is other sites can be considered.
section available to support staff working with
patients who have a learning disability
Gender Re-assignment None relevant to this policy None None
Marriage and Civil None relevant to this policy
Partnership
None None
Maternity / Pregnancy Women’s Health and Maternity
None None
Services will support pregnant women

9. Are there any gaps in the evidence outlined above? If ‘yes’ how will these be rectified?

No

10. Engagement has taken place with people who have protected characteristics and will continue through the Equality Delivery
System and the Equality Diversity and Human Rights Group. Please note you may require further engagement in respect of any
significant changes to policies, new developments and or changes to service delivery. In such circumstances please contact
the Equality and Diversity Lead or the Involvement and Equalities Officer.

Do you require further engagement? Yes No X

11. Could the policy, strategy or service have a negative impact on human rights? (E.g. the right to respect for private and family
life, the right to a fair hearing and the right to education?

No

PART 2

Name:
Ali Robb

Date of completion:
16/12/2016

(If any reader of this procedural document identifies a potential discriminatory impact that has not been identified, please refer to the Policy Author identified above,
together with any suggestions for action required to avoid/reduce the impact.)