1. Obtain 50mL sterile yellow top container and if patient <16 years of age also obtain a paediatric blood culture bottle. An EDTA tube may be collected in addition to the yellow container (and used by laboratory staff for the cell count if the sample in the yellow container is clotted).
2. Disinfect overlying skin with 2% iodine tincture or 70% alcohol.
3. Obtain specimen via percutaneous needle aspiration or surgery.
4. Split contents into the paediatric blood culture bottle if <16 years of age and into the sterile yellow top container.
5. Transport specimen to laboratory immediately.