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CULTURE, RESPIRATORY LOWER
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If a Mycobacterium species (AFB, TB), fungus or a virus is suspected, refer to AFB Culture, Fungal Culture, or Viral Culture.
Test Code
RESC
Alias/See Also
Sputum
CPT Codes
87070 Culture, bacterial; any other source except urine, blood, or stool with isolation and presumptive identification of isolates 87205 Smear, primary source with interpretation; Gram or Giemsa stain for bacteria, fungi, or cell types The following testing may be added as appropriate based on findings for organism identification (multiple additions are possible if more than one organism is identified) and to aid in patient treatment management. 87077 Aerobic isolate, additional methods required for definitive identification, each isolate if appropriate 87106 Culture, fungi, definitive identification, each organism, yeast if appropriate 87107 Culture, mold, definitive identification, each organism, mold if appropriate 87206 Smear, primary source with interpretation, fluorescent and/or acid fast stain for bacteria, fungi, or cell types if appropriate 87184 Susceptibility studies, disk method, per plate if appropriate 87185 Enzyme detection, per enzyme if appropriate 87186 Susceptibility studies, microdilution or agar dilution, each multiantimicrobial, per plate if appropriate
Includes
Includes: Culture; Gram Stain; Organism ID if Indicated; Sensitivity if Indicated
Preferred Specimen
Sterile Container
Patient Preparation
Sputum (Expectorate)
1. Have patient rinse or gargle with water to remove superficial flora.
2. Collect early morning specimen; Instruct patient in proper collection of specimen.
1. Have patient rinse or gargle with water to remove superficial flora.
2. Collect early morning specimen; Instruct patient in proper collection of specimen.
3. Instruct patient to cough deeply to produce a lower respiratory specimen.
4. Exam specimen to make sure it contains thick muces. Do not submit saliva.
5. Collect the expectorated sputum in a sterile container.
5. Collect the expectorated sputum in a sterile container.
Sputum (Induced)
1. Have patient rinse mouth with water after brushing gums and tongue.
2. With the aid of a nebulizer, have patients inhale about 25 mL of 3-10% Sterile Saline
3. Collect the induced sputum in a sterile container
Instructions
Document source
Transport Temperature
Refrigerate specimen if there will be a delay in transportation or processing
Specimen Stability
- 2-8ºC up to 24 hours
- 15-30ºC up to 2 hours
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Sputum specimens heavily contaminated with saliva; improperly labeled specimen; or QNS
Methodology
Routine culture
Setup Schedule
M, T, W, Th, F, Sa, Sun
Report Available
Culture examined once per day for 2 days.
Preliminary report available at 24 hours after set up.
Final report available at 2-5 days.
Preliminary report available at 24 hours after set up.
Final report available at 2-5 days.
Clinical Significance
To detect and identify the cause of bacterial pneumonia or some other lower respiratory tract infections; to monitor the efficacy of treatment
Performed By
Alverno Laboratories
Performing Laboratory
Alverno Central Lab
NMIC (Microbiology)
Additional Information
Sputum Specimen Collection
Last Updated: June 6, 2023