Collection Medium:

Testing
Schedule:

0700-1630, 7 days a week, including holidays.

Analytic Time:

Cultures are held for 6 weeks.

Comments:

Deliver all specimens to the laboratory as soon as possible after
collection.

A.  Blood - media and instructions available upon request from the
Microbiology Lab.  A transfer device will be distributed with these 
culture bottles.  Test available for limited patient populations only.

B.  Sputum - collect an early morning specimen on three consecutive
days for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.  Collect 5-15 mL in a 
sterile container.  Pooled specimens are unacceptable.

C.  Swabs are suboptimal for the recovery of mycobacteria since they 
provide limited material and the hydrophobicity of the mycobacterial 
cell envelope often compromises a transfer from swabs onto media. See 
bacterial culture for collection and transport of all other specimen 
types.

Methodology:

Standard culture media and/or semi-automated radiometric detection

Sample
Processing:

Specimen should be collected and packaged as close to shipping time as 
possible.
Label transport tube with two patient identifiers, date and time of 
collection.
Indicate specimen/fluid type on requisition.
Maintain sterility and forward promptly to lab.
Submit in sterile transport container.

Sample
Storage:

Refrigerate up to 24 hours.

Transport
Instructions:

Coolant packs up to 8 hours.
Place requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Place specimen into zip-lock type bag, seal bag.
Recommend express mail or equivalent if not on courier service.

Instructions:

Specimen should be double bagged.

CPT Code:

87116

See also:
Bacterial Culture