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Test Code C Respiratory Culture Respiratory

Patient Preparation

No special patient preparation required

Special Collection Instructions

Specimen Instructions
BAL, Bronch wash, Bronch brush, Endotracheal aspirate, ET Tube, Lung Aspirate
  1. Collect washing or aspirate in a sputum trap.
  2. Place brush in sterile container with 1mL of saline
CF BAL or CF Trach Aspirate or CF Sinus Collect washing or aspirate in a sputum trap.
Sputum – Expectorated Collect under direct supervision of a nurse, doctor or therapist. Collect in a sterile container.
NOTE: for pediatric patient unable to produce a sputum, a therapist should collect a specimen via suction.
Sputum – Induced
  1. Have patient rinse mouth with water after brushing gums & tongue.
  2. With the aid of a nebulizer, have patient inhale about 25 mL of 3-10% sterile saline.
  3. Collect in sterile container.
NOTE: for pediatric patients unable to produce a sputum, a therapist should collect a specimen via suction.
Nares, Nasal
  1. Insert a swab, premoistened with sterile saline, about 1-2 cm into the nares.

  2. Rotate the swab against the nasal mucosa.

NOTE: Anterior nose cultures are reserved for detecting Staphylococcus and Streptococcus carriers or for nasal lesions.
Nasopharyngeal -Swab
  1. Gently insert a small swab (e.g. calcium alginate) into the posterior nasopharynx via the nose.
  2. Rotate swab slowly for 5 seconds to absorb secretions.
  3. Place in transport media
Sinus Decontaminate nasal cavity and aspirate with needle and syringe.

Collection Method

Follow appropriate collection procedures

Minimum Volume

None

Container

Sterile Cup

Preferred Specimen

  • BAL
  • Bronch Wash
  • CF BAL
  • CF Sinus
  • CF Sputum
  • CF Throat
  • CF Tracheal Aspirate
  • ET Tube
  • Lung Aspirate
  • Nares
  • Nasopharyngeal
  • Sinus
  • Sputum
  • Throat
  • Tracheal Aspirate
  • Tracheal Lavage
  • Transtracheal Aspirate

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

Specimen Stability



Ambient
 Transtracheal aspirate: 30 minutes
Other sources: 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
 Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Cultures: 5 days
Non-CF Cultures: 2 days
Stat Availabilty
 No
Performing Bench
 Microbiology
Methodology/Method Description
 Culture

Special Handling

Refrigeration may prohibit recovery of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus species.

CPT Codes

87070