Best Practice to Obtain Quality Blood Culture Samples

Wash hands with warm water and soap, dry thoroughly then use an alcohol hand rub

To undertake effective hand hygiene and reduce the risk of infection to the patient (Hobson, 2008)

Assemble the required equipment in the cleaned Daniels Tray

To ensure timely undertaking of the procedure

At the patient’s side identify the patient by asking them to verbally state their name and date of birth, wherever possible.  If patient confused, unconscious or otherwise unable to provide verbal identification a responsible person should be asked to verify the identity.

Check the verbal details are matched with the patient identifier (wristband or photo ID) and this matches fully with the request or Order Comms form.

The request form/Order Comms form should contain:

- First name      - Gender       - Numeric identifier        

- Last name      - Date of birth               

- Signature of person requesting the sample and   contact details

To ensure the correct sample is obtained from the correct patient

Explain exactly why the blood tests are required and give the patient an opportunity to give or withdraw consent and to ask any questions

To implement best practice in gaining informed consent from the patient

Request that the patient is either sitting or lying down, not standing up

The patient may faint or have a vasovagal attack.  Also, there is also evidence to suggest that posture affects blood results (Guder et al 1996).

Ask the patient if they have a preferred arm, or if there have been any previous difficulties experienced

To minimize difficulty in obtaining the sample

Position the patient’s arm on a pillow if possible, and extend the arm out

In order to bring the veins nearer to the surface and ensure stability

Choose a site on an arm that is not receiving intravenous fluids. If the other arm is not available, and if clinically acceptable, stop the infusion for 15 mins

To allow the circulating fluid to be dispersed before sampling. Ensure the fluids are restarted once the sample is taken.

Apply the tourniquet, selecting appropriate vein access site, demonstrating awareness of contra-indications and other factors influencing choice of site. If the tourniquet has been on for more than two minutes at this point, it should be released and left for a few minutes before reapplying.

To ensure effective palpation, avoidance of artery and selection of access site

Clean the chosen site with the recommended skin cleansing wipe (2% Chlorhexidine/70% Alcohol), in one direction, for 30 secs, allowing to dry for 30 secs. 

To effectively remove surface bacteria/flora to reduce risk of infection.  Do not palpate site after cleaning

Wash hands with warm water and soap, dry thoroughly then use an alcohol hand rub.  Apply gloves

To reduce infection risk to both patient and staff, and reduce practitioner blood contamination in splashes, spillage and injected infective material in the event of a needlestick injury (RCN, 2005,  Hobson 2008,YHNHST, 2010c)

Attach the syringe to the needle and have the other sample bottles near to hand. Bottles can be pre-vacced at this point only if the patient’s veins are good and you are an experienced practitioner.

Pre-vaccing the syringes prior to use may cause the vein to collapse.

Do not bend the needle prior to insertion

The needle itself or metal fragments can shear off and cause mini emboli.  The narrowed needle can also cause the red blood cells to haemolyse.

With one hand anchoring the skin below the chosen site, enter the needle into the vein quickly and smoothly, beveled edge upwards. Once the vein has been entered, release the skin and stabilise the hub of the needle. Withdraw the plunger with the other hand.

To minimise patient discomfort and ensure effective obtaining of the sample

Refer the procedure to a more experienced practitioner if unsuccessful after two attempts.

To reduce patient discomfort and ensure effective sampling

Cease venepuncture if a haematoma develops. Either have a second attempt in another area or refer to a more experienced practitioner.

To reduce patient discomfort and ensure efficient sampling

Once all the specimens have been taken and the last bottle removed, release the tourniquet, remove the needle and discard into sharps container.  Cover the puncture site with gauze and tape, do not apply pressure until the needle has been removed from the vein.  Pressure should be applied to the vein for at least 60 seconds and the patient should be asked to keep their arm straight.  The site should then be checked and either left open or covered with a plaster/sterile gauze and tape.

To reduce infection risk, and minimise venous damage and pain.

Attach a new needle onto each neutral monovette syringe.    Remove caps from blood culture bottles and wipe top with cleansing wipe for 30 seconds. Allow to dry for 30 seconds.  Inject slowly, do not force, one neutral monovette syringe per blood culture bottle.  Complete culture bottle label.

To reduce risk of cross contamination of sample

Discard needles and syringes into sharps container

To avoid needlestick injuries

Wash hands after removing gloves

To reduce risk of infection

Record the procedure with indication for culture, time, site of venepuncture and any complications in the patient’s record

To ensure completeness of documentation and record keeping