Sputum culture, stain

Alphabetical Test listing

Sputum culture, stain-6561

Test name:

Test number:

6561

Excellian order number:

LAB6561

Abbreviation:

SPU

Tests included:

Culture
Gram stain
Identification, susceptibilities and serogrouping will be performed on all microbiology isolates considered by the laboratory to be significant

Useful for:

Aiding in diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infections.

Specimen type:

Sputum

Collection container:

Screw cap plastic container (sterile)

Collection instructions:

Collect an expectorated, induced, or aspirated sputum

Expectorated sputums should preferably be an early morning, deep cough specimen

How to collect a sputum sample for your lab test

Processing instructions:

Sputum may be submitted in the collection container, or placed in the transport liquid of the ESwab (no more than half the liquid volume)

Transport container:

Screw cap plastic container (sterile) or

ESwab transport tube

Alternate specimen type:

Tracheal aspirate

Transport and stability:

Sterile container:
Ambient within 2 hours (preferred), within 24 hours is acceptable.

ESwab transport tube:
Refrigerated - 24 hours
Ambient - 24 hours

Reason for rejection:

Improper label (unlabeled or mislabeled)
Time delay between time of collection and receipt of specimen
Inappropriate timing of collection
Improper transport container
Improper transport temperature
Interfering substances
Inappropriate specimen type
Expectorated sputum with oropharyngeal contamination
Leaking container

Performing lab:

AHL - Microbiology: M

Days set up:

Daily

TAT:

Preliminary - 1 day
Final - 2 days

Method:

Culture and gram stain

CPT codes:

87070
87205

Additional CPT codes (if appropriate):
87186 - Sensitivities
87077 - ID

This list may not be all inclusive if there is the need to send the ID or sensitivities out to a referral laboratory

Date created:

11/30/2001

Revised date:

12/20/2023

Review date:

12/15/2023