The Importance of Blood Culture Order of Draw: Tips for Proper Collection
As healthcare professionals, we all know how important blood cultures are in the diagnosis and treatment of sepsis and other bacterial infections. However, what many of us may not know is that the order of draw during blood culture collection is equally crucial. In this article, we will delve into the significance of the blood culture order of draw and provide tips for proper collection.
What is Blood Culture Order of Draw?
Blood culture order of draw refers to the sequence in which multiple blood culture samples are collected from the same patient within a short span of time. The order of draw is vital as it helps minimize the risk of contamination from the skin, artifacts, or other external factors during sample collection.
Why is Blood Culture Order of Draw Important?
The proper order of draw during blood culture collection is essential to minimize contamination and increase accuracy of the test results. One of the main reasons for incorrect results in blood cultures is due to contamination caused during the sample collection process. Contamination can occur when the needle passes through a vein that has remnants of bacteria from a previous collection, the skin or equipment that is not disinfected properly, or when the samples are mixed up during collection.
What is the Correct Blood Culture Order of Draw?
The correct order of draw for blood culture collection is as follows:
1. Aerobic culture (yellow top)
2. Anaerobic culture (purple top)
It is important to note that time between collections should be less than or equal to 10 minutes to prevent specimen cross-contamination. Besides, the use of dedicated skin antisepsis agents for blood culture collection is recommended.
Tips for Proper Collection
To ensure accurate blood culture results and minimize contamination risk, healthcare professionals involved in this process should follow these tips for proper collection:
1. Proper aseptic technique should be used throughout the entire process from disinfecting the skin to specimen collection.
2. The collection of blood cultures should be done before initiating antibiotics or ideally before any other intervention.
3. Healthcare professionals should not palpate or rub the skin surface before collection as this can cause contamination.
4. Thoroughly clean the venipuncture site for at least 30 seconds using an antiseptic with proven efficacy against bacteria, preferably chlorhexidine followed by 70% isopropyl alcohol.
5. Collect blood cultures into bottles using the correct order of draw.
6. Properly label and document the collection of each vial, including the date, time, and the order of draw.
Conclusion
Order of draw of blood culture collection is a crucial protocol in ensuring accuracy in the diagnosis and management of sepsis and other bacterial infections. Contamination and inaccurate results from reversed order of draw can lead to overdiagnosis, overtreatment, or missed diagnoses. Therefore, adhering to the correct order of draw during blood culture collection and following the proper technique is paramount. By doing so, healthcare professionals can provide the best possible care to their patients.
