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Test Code C Ear Culture Ear

Patient Preparation

No special patient preparation required

Collection Method

For outer ear:


  2. Use moistened swab to remove any debris or crust from ear canal.
  3. 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



<!-- 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



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

Performance Information



<!-- 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