Synonym/Acronym:
N/A.

Common Use:
To identify pathogenic bacterial organisms in the blood as an indicator for appropriate therapeutic interventions for sepsis.

Specimen:
Whole blood collected in bottles containing standard aerobic and anaerobic culture media; 10 to 20 mL for adult patients or 1 to 5 mL for pediatric patients.

Normal Findings:
(Method: Growth of organisms in standard culture media identified by radiometric or infrared automation, or by manual reading of subculture.) Negative: no growth of pathogens.