Just heard a rumor that I don't understand. I can't find anything published to support it either. Is there a (new) recommendation to waste a specified volume of blood prior to drawing blood cultures off a central line? I don't want to start a new discussion about replacing needleless connectors; this is just about a waste volume prior to sampling. Either adult or peds pops. Thanks for feedback!
Blood culture from any CVAD is only indicated if the catheter is suspected of CRBSI. For samples taken from a CVAD, do not waste the first sample. For blood culture from a peripheral vein, DO waste the first sample to remove any skin contaminates. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861
Is this in print anywhere?
Keith W. Gilchrist, MSN, RN, PHN, OCN, CRNI, VA-BC
Oncology Nurse Navigator, David Grant Medical Center
Travis AFB, CA
Yes, this will all be in a new online CE course I have been working on. I am planning to release it by the end of next week. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861
INS Standards state to draw directly into the blood culture container, with no waste. Think about this, you want any germs that are sitting in a catheter to be drawn into the culture bottle, right? A waste would remove them, potentially.
Chris Cavanaugh, RN, BSN, CRNI, VA-BC
Thank you! I found the practice standard in INS 2011!
Keith W. Gilchrist, MSN, RN, PHN, OCN, CRNI, VA-BC
Oncology Nurse Navigator, David Grant Medical Center
Travis AFB, CA