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Laboratory: Clinical Microbiology
Test Name:
CATHETER TIP, CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETER/INTRA-ARTERIAL CENTRAL LINE, CULTURE, AEROBIC BACTERIA
Test Code: IVT
Clinical Information:
Test Indications:
Catheter tips should be submitted for culture when a patient is suspected of having a catheter-related infection.  Catheter infections may present at the insertion site as cellulitis over the tunneled portion or as bacteremia without evident external infection.

Recommendations:
Acceptable IV catheter types for semi-quantitative culture include: central, peripheral, arterial, umbilical, hyperalimentations, Broviac, Hickman, Sheldon, Swan Ganz and Udall.
Cleanse the skin around the catheter site with 70% alcohol.  Aseptically remove the catheter avoiding contact with exposed skin.  Hold the distal end of the catheter over a sterile screw capped container, cut off the 5 cm distal tip segment of the catheter with sterile scissors and drop the tip into the sterile container.
Blood cultures should be collected just prior to the catheter removal and both samples should be submitted to the laboratory for culture in order to confirm the diagnosis of catheter-related bloodstream infection.
Wound drainage tips, chest tube tips, abdominal drainage tips and foley catheter tips are not suitable for culture and will be rejected.

Patient Preparation Instructions:
Accurate patient identification must be made prior to sample collection.  Patient identification should be done in accordance with site policy. 
Samples and requisitions must be labeled/completed in accordance with the Shared Health Specimen Acceptance Policy.  Indicate current antimicrobial therapy on the requisition.
Collection Devices:
Specimen Required: Catheter tip - 5 cm distal tip of the catheter (Adult and Pediatric)
Referral:
Requisition:
Reference Values:
A semi-quantitative (<15 colonies or ≥15 colonies) descriptive report will be provided.
Availability:
Daily
See Also:
More Information:
Specimen Handling:
Transport to the laboratory as soon as possible to prevent drying.  If required, store in the refrigerator (4°C) prior to submission (<24 hrs).
Do not place the tip in saline or transport media.
Ensure samples that are being sent to a referral laboratory are packaged in accordance with Transport of Dangerous Goods recommendations for diagnostic samples.