An Explanation Of The Blood Culture Procedure

A blood culture is a laboratory test that checks for the presence of microorganisms such as bacteria in the blood. In a blood culture, a sample of your blood is placed in a special preparation where it is incubated for about a week in a controlled environment.

The preparation for blood culture is very simple. No pain is associated with this test.

In a blood culture, blood is usually drawn from the vein of the back of your hand or your inner elbow. The area where the blood will be drawn from is first cleaned with an antiseptic. Then, the upper arm is wrapped with an elastic band to apply pressure to the site, allowing for blood to rush into the vein.

A needle is then inserted gently into the vein to draw the blood out. The sample collected is stored in a small airtight container. After the blood is drawn out, the elastic band and needle are removed. A bandage is place over the punctured area to prevent any more bleeding.

When performing a blood culture for infants or kids, a lancet is more suitable for puncturing the skin. The blood collected is placed onto a slide or into a pipette. The punctured area may be covered with a bandage to stop bleeding.

There should never be any contamination of the blood collected. The blood sample is taken to the laboratory and is checked for any culture in microorganisms. If there is an observed growth in bacteria, more tests will be undergone to determine its specific type. Bacterial infection in the blood can be sporadic, so you may be advised to undergo a series of blood tests to confirm results.

Another method for identifying microorganisms in the body is a gram stain. This type of test uses a series of stains or colors. The gram stain is one of the most common techniques for speedy detection of bacterial infection.

A blood culture is usually taken for people who are suspected to manifest symptoms of blood infection. An example of a blood disease is septicemia, also known as sepsis. When not detected early, this infection can spread easily and can even lead to death. A blood culture helps identify the specific type of bacteria that may cause infection. This way, your doctor can identify the right treatment for you. It is important to undergo blood culture as early as you experience symptoms of an infection. Earlier detection is always the best course to the treatment or prevention of different forms of illnesses.

When the results show a normal value, it means that there is no culture in your blood. Note that ranges of normal value may slightly differ among laboratories. Discuss with your health practitioner about your results. On the other hand, a result that shows abnormal means a positive growth in bacteria.

An abnormal result signals an infection. However, even if you really do not have an infection, the blood sample can still yield an abnormal result if it is contaminated. In this case, your health practitioner can spot the difference.

An important consideration when performing blood cultures is the difference in vein size among patients. This makes it difficult to get a blood sample from others. An experienced practitioner can make this process worry-free for you. Generally though, a blood culture is practically risk-free for the patient.