Laboratory Services
Culture, Lower Respiratory
Print this pageUpdated Test Information:
| Test Description |
Culture, Lower Respiratory
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Synonym(s) |
Sputum Culture, Lower Respiratory Culture, Tracheal Aspirate, BAL, Bronchial lavage, Bronchial Brushing, Expectorated Sputum, Endotracheal Culture |
|
| Test ID |
CULTRESP
|
|
| General Information |
Identify significant bacterial pathogens from sputum/lower respiratory specimens and potential bacterial cause of pneumonia |
|
| Specimen Type |
Lower Respiratory |
|
| Specimen Requirements |
Preferred: Specimen in a sterile container, Bronchial brush in saline |
|
| Alternate Specimen Type |
Sputum, Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL), Bronchoalveolar Brushing, Tracheal Aspirate, Expectorated Sputum, Endotracheal Suction, Throat |
|
| Minimum Sample Volume |
1 mL fluid |
|
| Stability |
Ambient: 2 hours |
|
| Unacceptable Specimen Conditions |
Multiple specimens (more than one in 24 hours), frozen specimen, improper labeling, delayed specimens (greater than 72 hours), or poor quality sputum (presence of greater than 10 epithelial cells per 100x field). |
|
| Methodology |
Stain/Culture |
|
| Estimated TAT |
2-4 days. Positive culture reported as soon as detected. |
|
| Testing Schedule |
Monday-Saturday |
|
| CPT Code(s) |
87070 |
|
| Reference Range |
No significant bacterial pathogens isolated. |
|
| Reflex Conditions |
Identification and susceptibility performed on significant isolates. |
|
| Performing Lab |
Incyte Diagnostics |
|
| LOINC Code(s) |
624-7, 32355-0 |
|
| Additional Information |
Organism identification and susceptibility tests are billed separately from the culture. |
