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Geisinger Medical Laboratories Test Catalog
CULTURE, CSF, AEROBIC |
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ORDERING INFORMATION: |
Geisinger Epic Procedure Code: LAB2126 Geisinger Epic ID: 47480 | |
SPECIMEN COLLECTION |
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Specimen type: |
CSF lumbar puncture NOTE: all shunt collections should be ordered as Culture, CSF, Aerobic and Anaerobic |
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Preferred collection container: |
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Alternate Collection Container: |
Sterile specimen container
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Specimen required: |
5-10 mL; minimum 1 mL | |
Special notes: |
If more than one (1) tube of CSF is collected, submit tube #2 or #3 for microbiology studies. Check expiration date on transport device before use. When collecting specimen, take precaution to avoid contamination with normal bacterial flora. | |
Patient preparation: |
Use skin disinfection procedure as appropriate prior to skin puncture. | |
| SPECIMEN PROCESSING |
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Specimen processing instructions: |
Immediately transport all specimens to the laboratory to optimize bacterial recovery. Gram stains from CSF are always considered STAT testing. | |
Transport temperature: |
Room temperature. DO NOT refrigerate. | |
Specimen stability: |
Sterile CSF tube or sterile container: ASAP, < 1 hour optimal | |
Rejection criteria: |
Improperly labeled/identified specimen. Improperly collected specimens. Expired transport device. Grossly contaminated specimens. Delay in transport or transport at the wrong temperature. | |
TEST DETAILS |
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Reference interval: |
No growth. | |
CPT code(s): |
87070, 87205 | |
| Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding. Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed. The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. | ||
Test includes: |
Isolation, identification and semiquantitation of aerobic organisms. Antibiotic susceptibility testing and bacterial identification performed as appropriate. Additional charges may apply. For specimens > 1mL, an additional fee for specimen concentration will apply.
The College of American Pathologists recommends that a Gram stain be performed on all CSF specimens. For that reason, a Gram stain is included at an additional charge with this culture. |
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Methodology: |
Culture |
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Synonyms: |
Aerobic, culture, cerebral spinal fluid culture, fluid culture, ROUT CSFCA
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Clinical significance: |
Use to detect the presence of bacteria from normally sterile CSF. The best quality specimen is aseptically collected, avoiding contamination with superficial microorganisms. | |
Doctoral Director(s:) |
Donna Wolk PhD, D(ABMM), Raquel Martinez, PhD, D(ABMM) | |
| Review Date: | 12/31/2022 | |