A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

Respiratory Culture

Message
Testing performed at York Hospital Laboratory.

Anaerobes will not be cultured routinely from these sites. Order Code CSANA for Anerobic Culture.
If positive, an identification and sensitivity will be performed at an addional charge.


Test Code
CSR


CPT Codes
87070, 87205

Includes
  • Gram Stain
  • Culture


Preferred Specimen

Specimens from the upper and lower respiratory system.
Specimens from the mouth are only acceptable if oral candidiasis or thrush is suspected.
For sputum specimens, order Code CSSP for Sputum Culture.
Please specify specimen type and/or body site for all specimens.




Instructions
Upper Respiratory Tract
  1. Sinus: Collect specimen using a Dacron nasopharyngeal swab. Sinus washings or aspirated material may also be collected into a sterile container.
  2. Nasopharynx: A nasopharyngeal swab should be inserted along the floor of the nose until the posterior wall is reached. The swab should be gently rotated and left in position for a few seconds before withdrawing.
  3. Mouth: If thrush is suspected, the area should be gently scraped with a swab. If Vincent's angina (trench mouth) is suspected, notify the Microbiology lab. Send the abscess material in an anaerobic transport system.
Lower Respiratory Tract
  1. Bronchial Washings: These specimens should be collected by a physician into a sterile container.
  2. Transtracheal Aspirates: Collect the specimens into a sterile container. Rapidly transport these specimens to the Laboratory.
  3. Lung Biopsy: Send to the specimen into a sterile container. Specimens received in formalin are unacceptable for culture.
     


Transport Container
Sterile Container, Leak-Proof
Swab in Transport Media also acceptable for some specimens.


Transport Temperature
Room Temperature


Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 24 hours
Refrigerated: Not recommended
Frozen: Unacceptable


Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Sputum specimens contaminated with saliva


Methodology

Gram Stain
Culture



Setup Schedule
Daily


Report Available
Negative Culture - Finalized at 2 days




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.