Culture, Surgical
Surgical Culture, Sterile, Fluid, Tissue
Test Codes
EPIC: LAB03127
Department
Microbiology
Instructions
- This test is for surgically collected tissue and fluid.
- An aerobic and anaerobic culture is included as part of this test.
- Do NOT submit swab specimens. Specimens submitted on swabs will be changed to Culture, Wound – Deep.
Specimen Collection Criteria
Collect: One of the following specimens:
- Tissue: Sterile collection container with 0.5 mL of sterile, non-bacteriostatic saline. Alternatively, tissue may be placed in an ESwab transport device.
- Fluid: Sterile collection container or sterile sealed syringe (without the needle). Optimal volume is 18-20 mL, but smaller quantities will be accepted. Do NOT submit the syringe with the needle attached
Transport specimens to the Laboratory immediately after collection.
Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation
Do not refrigerate specimen. 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 specimen at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F).
Rejection Criteria
- Specimens submitted in containers with formalin or that have previously contained formalin.
- Swab specimens are strongly discouraged due to lower sensitivity of organism recovery. Specimens submitted on swabs will be changed to Culture, Wound – Deep.
Inpatient Specimen Preparation
Transport STAT to the Laboratory immediately after collection.
In-Lab Processing
If a surgical culture is ordered on an inappropriate site/source or collection device, the order will be changed to match the appropriate test code.
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:
Tissues
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 1 month
Fluids
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 30 days
Laboratory
Farmington Hills sent to Royal Oak Microbiology Laboratory for testing.
Grosse Pointe sent to Royal Oak Microbiology Laboratory for testing.
Royal Oak Microbiology Laboratory
Troy sent to Royal Oak Microbiology Laboratory for testing.
Performed
Sunday – Saturday, 24 hours a day.
Preliminary results available within 24 hours.
Reference Range
No organisms recovered.
Test Methodology
Gram stain, aerobic culture, anaerobic culture, identification and susceptibility testing (if indicated).
Interpretation
The recovery of microorganisms from an appropriate, properly collected specimen may be indicative of an infectious disease process.
Reflex Testing
Mold obtained from bacterial cultures will be reflexed to the Mycology Laboratory for identification.
Clinical Utility
This test is used to recover and identify microorganisms that may be involved in an infectious process.
Reference
- Vandamme, P.A.R., 2015. Specimen Collection, Transport, and Processing: Bacteriology. Jorgensen, J.H., Editor-in-Chief. Manual of Clinical Microbiology. 11th edition. ASM Press. Washington, D.C.
- Lynne S. Garcia, Editor-in-Chief. Section 2 - Specimen Collection, Transport, and Acceptability, pg. 51-80 and Section 3.13.1 - Wound/Abscess and Soft Tissue Cultures, pg. 440-457. Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook, 3rd Edition. ASM Press. Washington, D.C., 2010.
- Hall, G.S. and J. Holden, 2016. Collection and Transport of Clinical Specimens for Anaerobic Culture. Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook. 4th ed. ASM Press. Washington, D.C.
CPT Codes
87070 (Aerobic Culture), 87075 (Anaerobic Culture), 87205 (Gram Stain). Additional charges will be incurred for identification and susceptibility testing.
LOINC: 635-3
Contacts
Microbiology Laboratory – TR
248-964-6127
Name: Microbiology Laboratory – TR
Location:
Phone: 248-964-6127
Microbiology Laboratory – RO
248-551-8090
Name: Microbiology Laboratory – RO
Location:
Phone: 248-551-8090
Microbiology Laboratory – GP
313-473-1802
Name: Microbiology Laboratory – GP
Location:
Phone: 313-473-1802
Microbiology Laboratory – FH
947-521-7488
Name: Microbiology Laboratory – FH
Location:
Phone: 947-521-7488
Last Updated
4/29/2024
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