CULTURE, BACTERIAL, LOWER RESPIRATORY with gram stain
| Synonyms: | Sputum Culture; Respiratory Culture; Bronchial Lavage Culture; Bronchial Wash Culture; Tracheal Aspirate Culture |
| Computer Code: | (RESCS) |
| Specimen Collection: | Submit sputum, bronchial brush/lavage, tracheal aspirate, refrigerate. Submit specimen in a bronch tube or sterile, capped container. |
| Minimum Volume: | 3 mL |
| Handling Instructions for Offsite Areas: | Transport at 2-8ºC within 24 hours. Specimens with excess epithelial cells visualized on gram stain are categorized as saliva and rejected for routine bacterial culture. |
| Reference Values: | Normal Respiratory Flora: alpha-hemolytic Streptococci, non-hemolytic streptococcus, Micrococcus spp, Neisseria spp, Coryneform bacilli, Haemophilus spp. Potential pathogens include: Haemophilus influenzae, Enterobacteriaceae, gram negative rods, Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Cryptococcus. Beta hemolytic Streptococci group A in any numbers is considered a pathogen. In order to distinguish between normal respiratory flora and lower respiratory tract pathogens, a Gram Stain is used to interpret the culture results. Identification and/or susceptibility performed if indicated. |
| Lab Code: | Microbiology |
| Requisition: | MICRO |
| Test Frequency: | Daily |
| Routine TAT: | Neg: 2 days Pos: 2-3 days |
| Stat TAT: | |
| CPT Code(s): | 87070, 87205 |
| LCD or NCD: | |
| Methodology Used: |
See Addendum XVII |