Detection of aerobic bacteria by culture

Gram stain

Organism ID and Susceptibility testing (when appropriate)

Preferred specimens from body sites other than blood, body fluids (synovial, CSF etc.), urine, genital or respiratory.  Examples of preferred specimens include arm, leg, head, eye, ear, cath tip, tissues, etc.

Preferred: E-swab collection device (white, blue or purple cap)

BBL culture swab or double swab (Amies Gel, Liquid Amies or Liquid Stuart's) OR

sterile container - for surgical specimens, tissue, cath tip, drainage, aspirates

Note: Do not send aspirates to the lab in a syringe with the needle still attached.

Collect specimens aseptically.   

Refrigerated

Room temperature:  24 hours

Refrigerated:  48 hours (Do NOT refrigerate eye or genital culture swabs)

Specimens received in expired transport media;

Tissues submitted in formalin;

Specimens received in collection containers other than the ones listed.

If the aerobic culture has significant growth and micro-organisms, additional test/s will be performed including isolation, identification and susceptibilities with an additional charges and CPT codes.

This test includes gram stain, bacterial culture and susceptibility testing on certain pathogens. Specimen site information must be supplied in order to interpret findings correctly. Indicating only "abscess" or "wound" does not relay enough information for culture processing or interpretation of results. Skin and wound cultures may be contaminated with commensal flora from surrounding or adjacent tissue. Therefore, both selective and nonselective agar media are used to recover a broad spectrum of organisms. Isolated organisms deemed to be possible pathogens for the specimen site are identified and appropriate susceptiblilty testing (per CLSI guidelines) will be performed. Tissues and other surgical specimens are considered to be free of commensal flora. All isolates from surgically obtained specimens may be potential pathogens and will be worked up as such. 

Additional CPT codes/charges may apply.

Gram stains are reported within 24 hours of specimen receipt.

Culture plates are examined daily for at least 2 days.

Bacterial culture isolation and microscopic examination

Aerobic bacterial cultures are useful and important in the isolation and identification of potentially pathogenic aerobic organisms that can cause a variety of human infections. With the aid of the susceptibilty studies, results of aerobic cultures can assist the clinicians with the diagnosis and treatment of patients with bacterial infections. Proper specimen collection, transport and storage are key to recovery of organisms. The specimen source and known pathogenic properties of isolates determines the proper interpretation of results.

For Hospital use only:

2133314 Culture: aerobic w/GS, bone

2133221 Culture: aerobic w/GS, eye

2133209 Culture: aerobic, IV cath tip

2133220 Culture: aerobic, nose

2133312 Culture: aerobic w/GS, other

2133218 Culture: aerobic w/GS, tissue/biopsy

2133224 Culture: aerobic w/GS, wound (superficial)

2133223 Culture: aerobic w/GS, wound (surgical)

reviewed 1/29/18 lw