CPT/HCPCS
87070, 87205
Order Code
CULTRESP
Turnaround Time
up to 14 days
Test Includes
Aerobic culture and Gram Stain. If culture is positive, identification will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 87077 or 87140 or 87143 or 87147 or 87149). Antibiotic susceptibilities are only performed when appropriate (CPT code(s): 87181 or 87184 or 87185 or 87186).
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Source
Early morning expectorated sputum from deep cough
Transport Container
(Specimen Container)
(Specimen Container)
Sterile Transport Container
Preferred Specimens
Sputum
Collection Instructions
(Transport Temperature)
(Transport Temperature)
Transport Refrigerated (cold packs)
Specimen Stability
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room temperature | 2 hours |
| Refrigerated | 48 hours |
| Frozen | Unacceptable |
Reject Criteria
Any specimen >48 hours old, Sputum specimens with >25 epithelial cells per low power field, 24-hour pooled sputum, Received frozen
Test Details
Methodology
Culture and sensitivity
Clinical Significance
Isolation of potential respiratory pathogens can be useful in the diagnosis of respiratory tract infection. This specimen may contain normal oral flora. The significance of any isolate must be evaluated with this in mind.
