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HelpTest Code BLC Blood Culture
Infectious
Specimen Required
Specimen Type: Blood
Container / Tube: Aerobic & Anaerobic Blood Culture Bottle Set (adults) or Pediatric Blood Culture Bottle (children)
CPT Code
87040: Bacterial Culture, blood; aerobic & anaerobic if appropriate
Special Instructions
Fill the anaerobic bottle first and then follow with the aerobic bottle; 10cc in each. Mix gently by inversion several times after collection.
Pediatric patients: a minimum volume of 0.5cc on patients less than 1 year old and approximately 1cc of blood for each year of the patient's age thereafter up to 10 years old.
If more than 3cc but less than 10cc is drawn, inoculate only the aerobic bottle. If more than 10cc is drawn, split the volume equally between the aerobic and anaerobic bottles.
The minimum volume for pediatric bottles is 0.5cc and the maximum is 5cc.
Testing Schedule
Days Performed: Monday through Sunday
Times Performed: Continuously via instrumentation, 24 hours a day
Turn-around Time:
* Positive cultures are reported as soon as an organism is detected
* Negative cultures will be final at 5 days; preliminary reports are autofiled at 12 hours then daily thereafter