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Collection Requirements
Source: sputum
Container: sterile cup
- Patient should cough deeply to collect material from the lower respiratory tract (not saliva)
- A first morning specimen is best
Source: tracheal aspirate
Container: BAL trap/Luki tube
Volume: 1 mL
Special Instructions
- Sputum culture processing is preceded by a gram stain. The specimen must demonstrate >25 PMN and and <10 epithelial cells/lpf for culture plating
- This does not apply to Cystic Fibrosis (CF) or Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) patients – these are always plated. Choose appropriate source (i.e. Sputum-CF, Sputum-PCD) if the patient has Cystic Fibrosis (CF) or Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD)
Turn Around Time
Routine: 2 days
CF & PCD: 4 days
Availability
Routine
Lab Processing Instructions
Refrigerate if not processed within 1 hour of collection
Performing Laboratory
Adele Hall
Adele Hall Lab Section
Microbiology
Instrumentation/Methodology
Culture
Reference Ranges
Normal flora
CPT
87070