Culture, Spinal Fluid with Gram Stain

C CSF GS

Culture, Spinal Fluid with Gram Stain

EPIC Test Procedure Code: LAB2543

Performing Lab:

Saint Luke's Regional Laboratories

Container Type:

Screw-capped, sterile vial

Specimen Type:

Spinal fluid

Preferred Volume:

5 mL

Collection Procedure:

1. Submit 5 mL of spinal fluid aseptically collected from a lumbar puncture.
2. Divide the specimen into 4 screw-capped, sterile vials.
3. Label the vials with the patient's full name, date of birth, identification number, date and time of collection, initials of the person collecting the specimen, and the specimen source.
4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
5. The specimen source is required on the request form for processing.

Store and Transport:

Room temperature

Stability:

Specimens must arrive within 1 hour of collection.

Unacceptable Condition:

Do not refrigerate.

CPT Codes:

87070 - Culture CSF (EAP 30060500)
87205 - Gram Stain (EAP 30061200)
87077 - Aerobic identification (if appropriate)
87184 - Susceptibility studies, disk method (if appropriate)
87186 - Susceptibility studies, microdilution or agar dilution (if appropriate)

Test Schedule:

Monday through Sunday

Test Includes:

Gram stain is routinely performed.

Reference Ranges:

No growth at 4 days.

Critical value (automatic call-back): Positive culture or positive Gram stain

Notes:

Microbiology testing is routinely performed on the second vial unless otherwise specified.

Lab Personnel

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