Pathology Handbook

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Catheter Tip Culture

Alternative Names:

Intravenous catheter tip culture
Permacath

Laboratory:

Microbiology

Test Code:

WSK

Medicare rebatable:

Specimen Types:

Catheter Tip

Container Types:

Sterile Container

Collection & Request Instructions:

With sterile scissors, cut off the terminal 5cm of the tip into a dry sterile container.

1. Clearly state the type of tip to be cultured.

2. Urinary catheter tips will not be cultured, as misleading results are frequent. Intravenous catheter tips should be cultured only when the catheter is suspected to be the cause of sepsis.

3. A semi-quantitative count of organisms is made following culture to help distinguish contamination from infection.

Transport Instructions:

Room Temperature

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