• Abeer Odah AlMazyed

Improper skin preparation: The skin at the site of blood collection should be thoroughly cleaned with an appropriate antiseptic solution before the procedure. If this step is not adequately followed, bacteria from the skin surface can contaminate the blood sample. Contamination during venipuncture: During the collection of blood, if the venipuncture site or the collection equipment comes into contact with the surrounding environment or non-sterile surfaces, it can introduce bacteria or other microorganisms into the blood sample. If the rubber stoppers of the bottles are not adequately disinfected before collection, they can become contaminated, leading to false-positive results. Mishandling during transportation: Blood culture bottles need to be carefully transported to the laboratory to minimize the risk of contamination. Contamination during processing: When blood culture bottles are opened in the laboratory for processing, there is a risk of introducing contaminants from the environment if proper aseptic techniques are not followed. To minimize the risk of blood culture contamination, healthcare providers follow specific guidelines and best practices, such as: Proper skin preparation: Thoroughly clean the collection site with an appropriate antiseptic solution and allow it to dry completely before collecting blood. Disinfection of rubber stoppers: Clean the rubber stoppers of blood culture bottles with an appropriate antiseptic before collection. Secure transportation: Ensure that blood culture bottles are tightly sealed and transported in a manner that minimizes the risk of contamination. Adherence to laboratory protocols: Laboratory personnel should strictly follow aseptic techniques when processing blood culture samples, including wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and maintaining a clean working environment. By implementing these measures, healthcare providers can significantly reduce the risk of blood culture contamination and improve the accuracy of results, leading to appropriate diagnosis and treatment for patients with bloodstream infections.

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"Blood Culture Contamination ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.1, Issue 3, page no.159-163, August-2014, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1701A17.pdf

"Blood Culture Contamination ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.1, Issue 3, page no. pp159-163, August-2014, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1701A17.pdf