ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Body Fluid Culture and Gram Stain : 0060108
[ image for: Time Sensitive]
Time Sensitive
  


Mnemonic: MC BF

Methodology: Stain/Culture/Identification
Performed: Sun-Sat
Reported: 1-5 days
Preliminary: Negative at 1 day; Final: Negative at 5 days
Positive cultures are reported as soon as detected.
Specimen Required: Collect: Aspirate of amniotic, culdocentesis, pericardial, peritoneal, synovial, thoracentesis, or fluid.
OR body fluid collected in blood culture bottle(s), accompanied by original fluid (if possible).


Specimen Preparation: Transfer aspirate to a sterile tube, sterile container, or anaerobe gel transport tube. Place each specimen in an individual sealed bag.

Storage/Transport Temperature: Room temperature.

Remarks: Specimen source required. Anaerobe Culture (ARUP test code 0060143) will be performed on properly collected and transported specimens.

Unacceptable Conditions: Specimens submitted in anticoagulant other than SPS. Syringes with needle attached.

Stability (collection to initiation of testing): Ambient: 24 hours; Refrigerated: Unacceptable; Frozen: Unacceptable

Reference Interval:
No growth.
Identification and susceptibility performed on positive cultures.
Note: Anaerobe culture, Gram stain, identification, and susceptibility tests are billed separately from culture.
CPT Code(s): 87070
Cross References: Culture, Body Fluid