Sputum Culture w/GS

Test Code

Lab1824

Alias/See Also

Culture, Sputum
SCUL

CPT Codes
87205

Includes

Gram Stain

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 mL of discharged material from a first-morning specimen. (Saliva is not acceptable.)
4. Send specimen room temperature.
5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

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. 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

Methodology
Conventional culture techniques

Setup Schedule

Daily

Reference Range

Normal upper respiratory flora

Clinical Significance

Identification of aerobic and fungal organisms in sputum.

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

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.