Catheter tip culture (Edmonton/Central/North)
- Test Name:
- Catheter tip culture (Edmonton/Central/North)
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Ordering Information:
- Medical device culture - intravascular catheter tip
- Body Source(s):
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Catheter tip - intra-arterial
Catheter tip - intravascular
Catheter tip - intravenous
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Clinical Prerequisite(s):
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Provision of relevant clinical information is important to ensure a clinically relevant result
- State specimen source - anatomical site and specimen type
- State current antibiotic therapy and start date
- Provide clinical history. State symptoms and signs, and their duration
- How long has the catheter been in situ?
Notes:
Catheter tip cultures should be performed when a catheter is removed for suspected catheter-related bloodstream infection - catheter cultures should not be obtained routinely.If systemic symptoms/signs are present (e.g. fevers, chills, rigors), it is advisable to send 2 sets of blood cultures.
1. Take first set through catheter before it is removed
2. Take second set from peripheral site - Collection Instructions:
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1. Clean around the catheter insertion site with 70% alcohol prior to removal
2. Collect distal 5-7 cm of the line tip and place it in a sterile container
- Handling and Storage:
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Room temperature
- Rejection Criteria:
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- Mislabelled or unlabeled specimen/requisition
- Non-sterile container
- Non-intravascular tips
- Turnaround Times
- See Microbiology Information»
- Comments:
- Catheter tips are cultured aerobically only
- Last Reviewed:
- 06 May 2023
