Home
HelpTest Code AFBB Culture, Blood, Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB)
Specimen and Container/Tube
Specimen Type: Whole blood
Preferred Specimen: Blood Culture Bottles
Other Acceptable specimens: not applicable
Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions
UCMC Onsite Instructions: Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately.
UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions: Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately. Specimens must be received within 2 hours. If transport is delayed, refrigerate specimens prior to transport.
Rejection Criteria
- Common specimen rejected situations include: incorrect specimen type, insufficient volume, missing or incomplete specimen identifiers, incorrect specimen transport, or specimens outside stability limits.
- Frozen or refrigerated specimens will be rejected
- Specimen in incorrect specimen collection container will be rejected.
Reference Values
|
Analyte |
Age |
Sex |
Reference Range |
|
Culture |
All |
Male and female |
Negative |
Critical Values
All positive culture
If positive, Microbiology lab will notify physician.
Turnaround Time
Turnaround times are relative to the time the specimen is received in the test laboratory.
STAT Turnaround Time: not avialable
Routine Turnaround Time: 5 - 6 days
Testing Schedule: 24/7
CPT Codes
87102
LOINC Codes
30687102
Volume
Preferred Volume: 8-10mL
Minimum Volume: 1-3 mL
Specimen Stability
|
Storage Temperature |
Stability |
|
Room temperature (20 - 25°C) |
24 hours |
|
Refrigerated (2 - 10°C) |
not acceptable |
|
Frozen (-20°C) |
not acceptable |
Collection Instructions
Collect specimen per standard laboratory collection procedures. Skin decontamination with Chloraprep.
Pinch wings of the applicator to break the ampule inside. Wet sponge by repeatedly pressing and releasing sponge against venipuncture site. Scrub venipuncture site continuously for 30 seconds using a back and forth motion. Allow the site to air dry for 30 seconds. DO NOT blot or dry. To prepare the bottle, remove the plastic cap from the top of the bottles and cleanse with 70% alcohol. Remove any surplus disinfectant with sterile gauze before injection of blood into the bottle.
Specimen Transport: Immediate, no refrigeration.
Clinical Indications
Infection of Mycobacteria species
Methodology
Automated culture method
Bactec FX40 Automated culture method
Synonyms/Search Keywords
Mycobacteria Culture
Blood culture for Acid Fast Bacilli
Last Reviewed Date
08/15/2022