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Respiratory Culture w/Gram Stain
Test CodeLab1829
CPT Codes
87070
Includes
Gram stain
Preferred Specimen
Aspirates, BAL, Brushings, Washings
Minimum Volume
5 mL
Instructions
Aseptically collect a first-morning sputum specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container as follows:
1. Instruct patient to brush their teeth and/or rinse mouth well with water.
2. Have patient remove dentures.
3. Instruct patient to take a deep breath, hold it momentarily, and then cough deeply and vigorously into container. Collect 5.0-10.0 mL of discharged material from a first-morning specimen. Salavia is NOT acceptable.
4. Maintain sterility and forward specimen to laboratory promptly and at room temperature.
NOTE:
1. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.
2. Cough induction by inhalation of a saline aerosol is acceptable.
3. Expectorated sputums will be evaluated based on the number of squamous epithelial cells present. The floor and physician will be notified of any specimen found to be unacceptable.
1. Instruct patient to brush their teeth and/or rinse mouth well with water.
2. Have patient remove dentures.
3. Instruct patient to take a deep breath, hold it momentarily, and then cough deeply and vigorously into container. Collect 5.0-10.0 mL of discharged material from a first-morning specimen. Salavia is NOT acceptable.
4. Maintain sterility and forward specimen to laboratory promptly and at room temperature.
NOTE:
1. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.
2. Cough induction by inhalation of a saline aerosol is acceptable.
3. Expectorated sputums will be evaluated based on the number of squamous epithelial cells present. The floor and physician will be notified of any specimen found to be unacceptable.
Transport Container
Sterile container
Transport Temperature
Ambient
Specimen Stability
Ambient – 8 hours
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Improper collection
Improper transport and storage of specimen
Improper labeling of specimen
Improper transport and storage of specimen
Improper labeling of specimen
Methodology
Conventional culture techniques
Setup Schedule
Daily
Reference Range
Normal upper respiratory flora
Clinical Significance
In critical situations where a pneumonia of undetermined etiology is suspected, a sputum specimen should be collected and sent for culture along with a request for a Gram stain. The results of a Gram stain can often give quick, presumptive indications of the infecting agent, thus making antibiotic therapy more specific while the culture is still growing. Gram stains for these critical situations must be marked STAT if they are to be read immediately.
Performing Laboratory
Meritus Microbiology
