Joint aspiration
Sampling protocol
- The insertion site should be carefully inspected before the aspiration for signs of skin infection
- Preferably before any antibiotics are administrated
- This collection should only be performed by a physician
- Inform the patient of the procedure and position him/her in a comfortable position that gives adequate access to the site to be aspirated.
- Adjust the position of the joint
- Disinfect the skin two times and let it dry in between, use gloves and drape the site
- Instill appropriate local anaesthetic from skin to synovial membrane
- Aspirate 2-5 mL of the fluid and expel in a sterile container (for microbiology) and in a citrate tube (for cytology and crystals)
- If possible, inoculate an adult blood culture vial (ideally a pair, at least 1 anaerobic vial), in addition to the standard sample.
- Apply pressure to the site with gauze for at least 30 seconds or until bleeding stops
- Dress the site or apply a band-aid
- Sterile gloves
- Antiseptic solution (according to local dispositions)
- Gauze
- Syringe and needle, according to local dispositions
- Sterile container for laboratory
- Band-aids
- Pair or at least one anaerobic blood culture bottle