TREK blood culture bottles may be obtained from the MSU VDL. Please call 517.353.1683 and ask to speak to the Bacteriology Lab.

Obtain one VersaTREK REDOX 1 EZ Draw 40 ml w/stir bar (Purple/Aerobic) and one VersaTREK REDOX 2 EZ Draw 40 ml (Red/Anaerobic) from the Bacteriology/Mycology Section.

Label the bottles with patient identifiers (name, medical record number, date and time drawn) – DO NOT BLOCK THE BAR CODE ON THE BOTTLE.

Prepare the venipuncture site for blood cultures, using betadine then alcohol.

Prepare the blood culture bottles by disinfecting the visible part of the rubber stopper with 70% isopropyl or ethyl alcohol and allow it to dry. Place it in a clean area.

Using a needle and syringe draw a total of 10 mL of patient’s blood (maximum of 5 mL each for one aerobic and one anaerobic bottle). See the Low Volume Distribution Scheme (Step 8) if you cannot obtain 10 mL of blood.

Dispose of the needle in an appropriate sharps container and attach a sterile needle to the syringe.

Transfer the blood obtained from the patient immediately into the prepared bottles under aseptic conditions (half of the amount obtained into each bottle), inserting the needle at a right angle in the center of the rubber septum.

HELPFUL HINT: always inoculate the REDOX 1 (Purple/Aerobic) bottle first.

Low Volume Distribution Scheme

If you cannot obtain 10 mL of blood, divide the blood as follows:

• >1 mL: divide equally between both the REDOX 1 (Purple/Aerobic) and REDOX 2 (Red/Anaerobic) bottles
• <1 mL but >0.5 mL: place 0.5 mL in REDOX 1 (Purple/Aerobic) bottle and the remainder in the REDOX 2 (Red/Anaerobic) bottle.
• <0.5 mL: put the entire specimen in the REDOX 1 (Purple/Aerobic) bottle.

Mix contents of each inoculated bottle 4 or 5 times by gentle inversion so the blood is dispersed evenly throughout the medium.

Leave the blood culture bottles AT ROOM TEMP and mail to the laboratory overnight with the appropriate paperwork.

****NEVER REFRIGERATE OR INCUBATE****