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Test Code SPUCULT Bacterial Culture and Gram Smear, Respiratory

Important Note

Expectorated sputum is graded for acceptablity using the Bartlett Scoring System.

Specimens shown by direct smear to consist of saliva or to be contaminated with saliva will not be processed.

Specimen Information

 

Container Specimen Temperature Collect Vol Submit Vol Min Vol Stability
Sterile Container Sputum* Refrigerate 1.5 mL 1.5 mL 1 mL 24 hours*
Ambient 4 hours*

*Specimens can include:

Deep Cough

Induction

Bronchial Washings or Brushings (always cultured)

Transtracheal Aspiration (always cultured)

Catheter Suction of the Trachea (always cultured)

 

Note: Deliver to the lab immediately as specimens are stable for 4-hours at room temperature. If the specimen can not be processed within 4-hours, refrigerate at 4 C and deliver to the lab within 24-hours. Cultures will not be performed on samples that are refrigerated for more than 24-hours.

 

Reject Due To:

- Above conditions not met

- Specimen unlabeled or mislabeled

Instrumentation / Method

Manual Culture

Test Schedule / Analytical Time / Test Priority

Daily /  Negative final at 48-hours / Not Available STAT

Reference Range

No Growth

 

CPT / LOINC

CPT: 41852-5

LOINC: 664-3