Positive blood cultures with likely pathogens are phoned to the relevant clinical team by the laboratory and followed up by a consultant microbiologist Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00, including Public Holidays and at weekends 10:00-16:00.
Out of hours the laboratory will contact a nominated member of the specialties’ on call teams. See Quick Reference Guide: Positive Blood Culture Notification (Out-of-Hours) - link only active if accessing via NHS network.
Due to staff shortage the on call consultant microbiology service (Mon-Fri 17:00-09:00 and weekends 16:00-10:00) is temporarily unavailable.
This can affect the timeline for consultant review of some newly positive blood cultures over weekends.
New blood culture results from between 13:00-21:00 are followed up by a consultant microbiologist on the next morning to confirm appropriate treatment.
For further information on the temporary change to the consultant microbiology service, refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document (link only active if accessing via NHS network).
The four management flowcharts are:
Refer to the main ADTC guideline on the Initial Management of Positive Blood Cultures in Adults ≥16years old: A Guideline for Doctors and Advanced Nurse Practitioners (link only active if accessing via NHS network) for further information on:
This guidance replaces microbiology advice out-of-hours (Mon-Fri 17:00-09:00 and weekends 16:00-10:00), while the microbiology consultant on call service is not available.
For further information on the temporary change to the consultant microbiology service, refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document (link only active if accessing via NHS network).
Newly positive blood cultures need active follow-up by the clinical team at stages 2 (12-24 hours) and 3 (24-48 hours) to review new information and assess whether changes in treatment are required.
There will be no further phone calls from the laboratory to notify the team when updated results become available.
Refer to the full ADTC guideline when the microbiology on call service is not available: Management of positive blood cultures in adults ≥16 years old using provisional and final microbiology reports (stages 2 and 3) - interim guidance (link only active if accessing via NHS network).
Guideline reviewed | 10/07/2025 |
Page updated | 11/07/2025 |