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In vitro studies demonstrate the efficacy of Venipuncture Contaminant Exclusion
The efficacy of the blood collection method designated Venipuncture Contaminant Exclusion or
VCE, has been supported by in vitro studies performed at the Stone Technologies Lab with measurements
performed at Integrated DNA Technologies of Iowa City, IA. The experiment used a living model of
venipuncture comprised of Meleagris gallopavo integument cultured in trypticase soy broth and a special
container designed to hold the integument over a fluid reservoir. Fluid samples were then collected and
cultured to determine the concentration of microorganisms in the fluid sample. Figure
1 below shows the summary results of five trials. The optical densities are indicative of microbial growth in the fluid samples. These results strongly suggest that the first fluid sample contains vastly more microbes from the skin
than subsequently collected fluid samples. When combined with the use of topical antiseptics to treat the
venipuncture site, sterile collection of an initial blood sample (VCE method) is
predicted to
reduce blood culture contamination rates considerably. A complete copy of this study can be ordered by
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