Login to South West London Pathology Services

If you have any queries about pathology consumables – you need a new account or you have a query about your order, please telephone 020 8266 6827. Forgotten your password

Blood culture

Category Bacteriology Medical Microbiology
Reporting frequency Negative - 5 days. Up to 21 days for extended culture

Additional information

Blue top – Aerobic (BD BACTEC Plus Aerobic/F, Purple top – Anaerobic- BD BACTEC Lytic/10 Anaerobic/F, Paediatric BD BACTEC Peds Plus/F (Pink top)

Aerobic blood culture. Prior to inoculation, disinfect the culture botle top, label the bottle with patient’s details without covering the barcode. Inoculate the bottle with between 8-10ml of the fluid; paediatric samples – inoculate the bottle with between 1-5ml of blood or send any sample you manage to obtain regardless of volume. After inoculation, disinfect the bottle top. Anaerobic culture; likely severe anaerobic infections on ITU; abdominal infections; deep abdominal abscesses; skin and soft tssue infections (particularly necrotising fasciitis); pelvic gynaecological infections; Severe throat infections: Lemierre’s syndrome; Immunosuppressed haematology/oncology patients; investigation of PUO

Lab Tests Online UK

Lab Tests Online - UK is a website written by practising laboratory doctors and scientists to help you understand the many clinical laboratory tests that are used in diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of disease.

Click here to go to Labtestsonline.org.uk

  • Search Tests

Latest news

June 30, 2025

Introduction of liquid swabs to replace charcoal swabs for all samples

Liquid swabs are being introduced for all microbiology samples. These swabs will replace the current charcoal swabs. This change is due to a significant investment in automated processes to improve the quality of the services provided to patients.

Read more
June 4, 2025

Autoclave room revamp transforms lab safety and efficiency in just one day

A cluttered and inefficient autoclave room in Microbiology has been dramatically transformed into a streamlined, safe, and highly functional space—thanks to the dedication and teamwork of three staff members who took the initiative to make a lasting difference.

Read more
May 21, 2025

Cristina Delgado achieves her certification in blood transfusion

We are delighted to share the inspiring story of Cristina Delgado, a valued member of our Blood Transfusion team, who has recently achieved her certification in blood transfusion.

Read more
May 19, 2025

A day in the life of Jaishy Ludault, Point of Care Manager

Jaishy Ludault has recently taken up the role of Point of Care Manager in the Point of Care (POCT) Team, having joined SWLP as a Point of Care Coordinator in POCT five years ago and then progressing to become an Advanced Biomedical Scientist before taking up her new role. What does an average day look […]

Read more