Guidelines
Recommended Blood Culture Volumes

Recommended Blood Culture Volumes

  • 2 mL (may decrease volume depending on health status)
  • One site
  • Note: One aerobic (pink) and one anerobic (purple) top Pediatric blood culture bottles with 1mL each
  • 1-2 mL (may decrease volume depending on health status)
  • One site
  • 2 (pink) Pediatric blood culture bottles with 0.5 to 1mL in each
  • 2 mL
  • One site
  • 1 (pink) Pediatric bottle with 2 mL
  • 2 mL
  • One site (if no CVL)
  • If CVL (except PICC in NICU) obtain both CVL and peripheral culture if possible.
  • 1 or 2 (pink) Pediatric bottles with 1 mL each or one with 2 mL
  • 6 mL (may be decreased if at lower end of weight range)
  • One site if no CVL or if ≤ 5 days of life
  • If CVL and > 5 days of life, (except PICC in NICU) obtain both CVL and peripheral culture if possible
  • 2 (pink) Pediatric blood culture bottles with at 1-3 mL in each or if <5mL, then 1 bottle
  • 20 mls
  • Two sites
  • If CVL, obtain cultures from both CVL and peripheral sites
  • 2 (blue) Adult Aerobic blood culture bottles with10 mL each
  • 40 mls
  • Two sites
  • If CVL, obtain cultures from both CVL and peripheral sites
  • 4 (blue) Adult Aerobic blood culture bottles with10 mL each
  • Please ensure adequate volume of blood by weight.
  • A minimum of 2 (prefer 3) separate blood cultures from 2 different sites taken 60 minutes apart is recommended.