Expectorated sputum (from cystic fibrosis patients only)

Patient should rinse mouth and gargle with sterile water prior to collection; instruct patient to cough deeply. Collect specimen in sterile transport container (37777).

Specimens from patients who do not have cystic fibrosis.

0700-2200, 7 days a week, including holidays.

Not routinely available; special arrangements required. Cultures are completed within 5-7 days.

This culture includes special media to screen for organisms associated with respiratory disease in cystic fibrosis patients. Emphasis is placed on recovery of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Burkholderia cepacia complex, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Haemophilus influenzae, and other non-fermenting Gram-negative rods. This culture should only be ordered for cystic fibrosis patients. For a sputum culture on all other patients, order a respiratory culture and indicate sputum as the source.

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