Body Fluid Culture: Aerobic and Anaerobic Bacterial Culture and Gram Stain

CPT: 87070; 87075; 87205
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Synonyms

  • Culture, Body Fluid, Sterile, Routine
  • Sterile Body Fluid Culture

Special Instructions

Indicate the specific source and pertinent clinical history on the request form. Do not use expired transport device.


Expected Turnaround Time

14 - 17 days


Related Information


Related Documents


Specimen Requirements


Specimen

Aseptically aspirated body fluid (eg, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), synovial, peritoneal fluid). Do not submit syringes with needles attached. Swabs without visible fluid are not acceptable for Body Fluid Culture.


Volume

2 mL minimum


Minimum Volume

2 mL


Container

Sterile tube or other sterile leak-proof container, blood culture bottle, Vacutainer™ Plus no Additive tube; sodium heparin tube, and swabs with visible fluid. Do not use red-top Vacutainer™ tubes.


Collection

Contamination with normal flora from skin, rectum, vaginal tract, or other body surfaces should be avoided.


Storage Instructions

Maintain specimen at room temperature. Specimens for anaerobic culture should be maintained at room temperature. Anaerobes will survive 24 to 72 hours when properly collected in the anaerobic transport tube.


Patient Preparation

Swab skin over the site of puncture with 2% tincture of iodine in concentric circles. Note: Iodine should remain in contact with skin for at least one minute prior to puncture to ensure complete antisepsis. Following puncture, 70% alcohol is used to remove iodine from skin.


Causes for Rejection

Improper labeling; red-top Vacutainer™ tubes; swabs without visible fluid


Test Details


Use

Isolate and identify pathogenic organisms from normally sterile body fluids. Anaerobic culture is held for 14 days.


Methodology

Culture


LOINC® Map

Order Code Order Code Name Order Loinc Result Code Result Code Name UofM Result LOINC
183473 Body Fluid Culture Aer/Ana/GS 000000
183473 Body Fluid Culture Aer/Ana/GS 008900 Anaerobic Cult, Extended Incub 635-3
183473 Body Fluid Culture Aer/Ana/GS 018408 Gram Stain Result 664-3
183473 Body Fluid Culture Aer/Ana/GS 180802 Body Fluid Culture, Sterile 611-4
183473 Body Fluid Culture Aer/Ana/GS 000000 SOURCE OF SPECIMEN

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