Performing a blood culture phlebotomy is difficult, but sterile procedures make the test useful for isolating pathogenic bacteria in a patient's blood stream. According to Lab Tests Online, blood is drawn from a vein and injected into a rich medium conducive to the growth of bacteria. Avoiding skin contamination is important, as all bacteria will grow in the blood culture medium.
Supplies
Personal protective gear, including gloves, for the phlebotomist is required. A set of blood culture bottles includes one aerobic media bottle and one anaerobic media bottle. Standard phlebotomy techniques include the use of a needle and syringe or some type of adapter that connects the needle to the culture bottles. Sterilizing agents needed to rid the skin of normal bacteria include an isopropyl alcohol solution, followed by an iodine solution. Placing a tourniquet on the arm to distend the vein before phlebotomy is appropriate. Apply an adhesive bandage after the phlebotomy. Dispose of needles into a bio-hazard sharps container.
Phlebotomy Procedure
After assembling all of the needed supplies, apply a moderately tight tourniquet above the vein. Select the vein by palpating the arm with a finger. Clean the area with an isopropyl alcohol solution in a circular motion starting in the center and radiating outward. Follow the first cleansing with an iodine solution in the same circular motion. Allow the iodine to dry for about one minute. Insert the needle into the vein and withdraw 20 mL of blood. Reduce the amount for pediatric patients and use a special pediatric blood culture bottle. Ten mL of blood go into each blood culture bottle. The blood may flow directly into the bottles using a sterile connecting device or be injected into the bottles from a syringe. Avoid contamination of the needle and bottles with non-sterile objects.
Patient Care
After withdrawing the needle, use light pressure to prevent bruising. Hold pressure for about one minute and apply an adhesive bandage. Advise the patient to watch the area for signs of bleeding. If the patient is unable to participate, make sure the bleeding has stopped before leaving the room.
Labeling Procedure
According to 'Routine Venipuncture and Specimen Handling', by Edward C. Klatt, M.D., positive patient identification is part of the procedure for phlebotomists. After properly identifying the patient, the blood culture bottles must have matching patient identification. The results of the blood culture are meaningless if patient identification is not accurate.
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