Catheter Tips
Useful For
· Diagnosis of intravascular catheter-related infections
Testing Algorithm
Indications for Testing
Blood cultures are important in the evaluation of circumstances such as known or suspected sepsis, meningitis, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, endocarditis, fever of unknown origin, etc. Blood cultures should be obtained from patient suspected of bacteremia with fever or hypothermia, leukocytosis or leukopenia. Ideally, samples should be collected before antibiotics are given.
Catheter tips may be cultured if intravascular catheter-related infections are suspected.
Method Name
· Intravascular catheter tips quantitative bacterial culture
Reporting Name
· Catheter tip culture
Aliases
Bacteremia
Line infection
Systemic mycobacterial infection
Systemic dimorphic fungi infection
| Test | Specimens | Minimum Volume | Note |
| Intravascular catheter tips | Remove the catheter and send catheter tip in a sterile container |
Around 5cm |
1 set of peripheral blood culture should be collected within 24 hours of catheter tip |
Transportation
| Test | Transportation | Transportation time | Transportation Temperature |
| Intravascular catheter tips | Sterile container | 24h | 2-8°C |
Reject Due To
· Unsuitable catheter line tips include arterial line tip, Foley catheter tip, endo-tracheal tube (ETT) tip, peripheral IV catheter tip, T-tube tip, G-tube tip, chest tube tip, Jackson-Pratt tip, Penrose tip, sump drain tip, Tenchkoff catheter tip, percutaneous drain tip and peritoneal dialysis catheters (abdominal).
Useful For
· Diagnosis of intravascular catheter-related infections
Reference Values
N/A
Interpretation
· Consult Microbiologists on Call at 709-777-6300 if extended incubation period is clinically required in some circumstances.
· The isolation of a yeast species or Staphylococcus aureus in blood suggests a serious infection. An infectious diseases consult is recommended; the ID specialist can be reached through hospital locating at 709-777-6300
· Intravascular catheter tips are cultured quantitatively, because low quantity of bacterial isolates may represent skin contamination.
Clinical Reference
Cumitech #1c Blood Cultures IV by Ellen Jo Baron
Garcia, Lynne S., ed. Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook. 3rd ed. Washington: ASM Press, 2010: 2.1.21.
| Test | Status | Days | Analytic Time |
| Catheter tip culture | Routine | 7 days/week | 48h |
Method Description
Bacterial culture medium is used with the BD BACTEC fluorescent series instruments for recovery of microorganisms
Performing Laboratory Location
Newfoundland & Labrador Public Health Microbiology Laboratory
100 Forest Road
St. John’s, NL A1A 3Z9
Latest Updates
Respiratory Testing Memorandum 2023
Jan 1
Guidance for Mpox Laboratory Testing July 7th, 2023
Jan 1