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HelpTest Code CCSF Culture, Spinal Fluid
Methodology
Presumptive and definitive identification of microorganisms by Gram stain and colony morphology growth on selective media and biochemical panels.Includes Gram stain. Includes susceptibilities as needed at an additional charge.
Performing Laboratory
Sky Lakes Medical Center-MicrobiologySpecimen Requirements
Specimen must arrive in laboratory within 30 minutes of collection.
Specimen Type: Spinal fluid
Container/Tube: Sterile vials
Specimen Volume: A minimum of 1 to 2 mL for routine culture and 5 to 10 mL for fungal, mycobacterial, and viral culture
Collection Instructions:
1. Specimen source is required.
2. Collect specimen by lumbar puncture.
3. Divide specimen into 3 or 4 specimens (each containing 1-2 mL).
4. Label vials sequentially. Tube #3 is generally used for microbiology testing.
5. Label each vial with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number or date of birth, specimen source, date and time of collection, and order in which vials were collected.
Specimen Transport Temperature
Ambient/Refrigerate NOReference Values
No growth at 4 daysCritical value (automatic call-back): all positives
Day(s) Test Set Up
Monday through SundayGram stain performed STAT
Test Classification and CPT Coding
87070-Culture87205-Gram stain