Culture and Gram Stain, Aerobic, Respiratory

Gram stain and Aerobic culture for bacterial respiratory pathogens

Specimen Type: Respiratory
Sources: Sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage, trachea, endotracheal tube, etc
Collection Container: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: 2mL

1. Sputum, Expectorated: Patient should rinse mouth and gargle with sterile water prior to collection. Instruct the patient NOT to expectorate saliva or postnasal discharge into the container. Collect expectorated sputum into a sterile container with a screw cap
2. Sputum, Induced: Using a wet toothbrush and sterile water or saline, brush the buccal mucosa, tongue, and gums for 5 to 10 minutes prior to the procedure. Rinse the patients mouth with sterile water or saline. Using an ultrasonic nebulizer, have the patient inhale approximately 20-30ml of 3% NaCl. Collect inducted sputum specimens into a sterile container with a screw cap • Endotracheal aspirate: Aspirate the specimen into a sterile sputum trap (i.e., Luken trap) and aseptically transfer the sputum sample to a sterile screw-cap container with the cap tightly secured before transport.
3. ​Bronchial Wash, Transbronchial Biopsy, Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), Bronchial Brushing: Follow standard collection practices

Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 24 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable

Negative or normal flora report is final at 2-3 days. Positive report depends on the extent of organism workup

This culture method is not acceptable for detection of Legionella species, Bordetella pertussis, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, or Chlamydophila pneumoniae. Contact the laboratory if detection of these pathogens is required. If a quantitative BAL is required, it must be selected as a source or submitted as a separate order (Culture, Respiratory/BAL Quantitative). If a more comprehensive culture is required for a Cystic Fibrosis patient, it must be ordered as Culture, Cystic Fibrosis Respiratory.