When blood cultures are taken from a CVAD, you should NOT discard any volume. You should send the first sample for culture as that is where you will find the largest amount of planktonic biofilm. However the only time this is recommended is when you are ruling out the CVAD as the source of BSI. When drawing from a peripheral vein, you must discard the first 1-2 mL to avoid skin contaminants and a possible skin plug in the sample.
When blood cultures are taken from a CVAD, you should NOT discard any volume. You should send the first sample for culture as that is where you will find the largest amount of planktonic biofilm. However the only time this is recommended is when you are ruling out the CVAD as the source of BSI. When drawing from a peripheral vein, you must discard the first 1-2 mL to avoid skin contaminants and a possible skin plug in the sample.
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, NPD-BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861