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Culture, Quantitative Bacterial, Tissue

Biopsy, Quantitative

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB5499

Department

Microbiology

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: Tissue specimen in a sterile collection container. A few drops of sterile non-bacteriostatic saline may be placed in the container to keep the specimen moist. (Minimum specimen size: 2 cm x 1 cm).

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Do NOT refrigerate. Specimens must be stored at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F). Courier Services must be contacted for a STAT pickup at 1-800-551-0488.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Tissue specimens at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F).

Rejection Criteria

• Insufficient specimens (less than 2 cm X 1 cm).
• Specimens received on a swab.
• Specimens submitted in Formalin or in a container that ever contained Formalin.
• Frozen specimens.

Inpatient Specimen Preparation

Transport STAT to the Laboratory immediately after collection.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 4 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 1 month

Laboratory

Royal Oak Microbiology Laboratory
Dearborn, Farmington Hills, Grosse Pointe, Taylor, Trenton, Troy and Wayne sent to Royal Oak Microbiology Laboratory for testing.

Performed

Sunday – Saturday, 24 hours a day.
Preliminary results available within 24 hours.

Reference Range

Less than 100,000 (10⁵) organisms per gram of tissue.

Test Methodology

Quantitative Culture.

Interpretation

Greater than 100,000 (10⁵) organisms per gram of tissue is significant.

Clinical Utility

The presence of bacteria in tissue in significant amounts is one factor that has been associated with delayed healing and has been correlated with infection.

Reference

1. York, M.K. 2010. Quantitative Cultures of Wound Tissues, Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook, 3^rd edition updated. L.S. Garcia, Editor-in-Chief. ASM Press. Washington, D.C. page 3.13.2.

CPT Codes

87071 (Culture), 87205 (Gram Smear).

Contacts

Last Updated

10/25/2023