Test Code C Ear Culture Ear

Patient Preparation

No special patient preparation required

Collection Method

For outer ear:

Use moistened swab to remove any debris or crust from ear canal.
Obtain sample by firmly rotating swab in outer canal.
NOTE: For otitis externa, vigourous swabbing is required because surface swabbing may miss streptococcal cellulitis.

For Typanocentesis:

For intact ear drum: clean ear canal with soap solution, collect fluid via syringe aspiration.
For ruptured ear drum: collect fluid on flexible shaft swab via auditory speculum.

Minimum Volume

Swab

Container

eSwab

Preferred Specimen

eSwab

Acceptable Specimens

eSwab
Culture Swab
Sterile container
Syringe (needle removed and safety capped)

Reference or Target Ranges

Negative

Reportable Units

Positive/Negative

Critical Value

Not defined for this assay

Reasons for Rejection

Hemolysis Threshold	N/A
Icterus Threshold	N/A
Lipemia Threshold	N/A
Other	QNS, contaminated, improperly labled, improper specimen type, more than 1 specimen from the same source per day

Specimen Stability

Ambient	2 hours
Refrigerated (4°C to 8°C)	N/A
Frozen(-40°C to 0°C)	N/A

Performance Information

Days and Time Performed	Daily
Expected Turn Around Time	2 days
Stat Availabilty	No
Performing Bench	Microbiology
Methodology/Method Description	Culture

CPT Codes

87070