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MCL Laboratory specimen collection and test information
Blood Culture Bottle
Blood Culture
10 mL in each
Alternative name(s)

Lab section Microbiology    
When performed 24 hours / 7 days (daily)    
When reported
 24 hours / 7 days    
   
Sunquest code
 BLC
SMS code
 C/S BLOOD or CULTURE, BLOOD (AER & ANAER)
   
Important notes: Blood for routine culture must be submitted in culture bottles, one culture is one set of 2 bottles, blue and purple. For two sets, order two blood cultures. Each set must have an order. Do not attach two or more sets to one SMS order. DO NOT cover the bar code on the bottle, or remove the removable bar code strip. These are required by the lab to positively link the specimen to the patient. You must write site, date, time and initials on requisition slip.
Rejection criteria: Unlabeled or mislabeled specimen
Transportation notes: within 2 hr, RT
Specimen preparation: All specimens for Microbiology must be submitted ASAP to maximize bacterial recovery.

MCL Web resources Specimen packaging pages Reference lab 
MCL Web Resources
Last revised 11/07/2011