Joint Culture

Synonyms

  • CX JOINT FLUID
  • HIP
  • JOINT FLUID
  • JOINT FLUID CULTURE
  • KNEE
  • LAB10264
  • PROSTHETIC
  • SEPTIC ARTHRITIS
  • SHOULDER
  • SYNOVIAL FLUID
  • SYNOVIUM
  • TISSUE

Cerner Name

Joint Culture

Clinical Info

To aid in the diagnosis of suspected septic arthritis and prosthetic joint infection. Acceptable specimen types include synovial fluid as well as bone/tissue from joint sources. Cultures will be held for 14 days for potential growth of Cutibacterium (previously Propionibacterium) species. For rapid diagnosis of the most common pathogens from synovial fluid sources only, order "Joint Fluid Pathogen Panel, Molecular Detection".

Specimen Sources

Ankle, Left Ankle, Right Elbow, Left Elbow, Right Finger, Left Finger, Right Foot, Left Foot, Right Hand, Left Hand, Right Hip, Left Hip, Right Jaw, Left Jaw, Right Joint Knee, Left Knee, Right Shoulder, Left Shoulder, Right Toe, Left Toe, Right Vertebra Wrist, Left Wrist, Right Show more...

Specimen Types

Abscess Aspirate Body Fluid Bone Foreign Body Skin/Wound Swab Tissue

Specimen Volume

Synovial Fluid, Joint Fluid, Joint Tissue (Knee, Shoulder, Hip, Wrist, Elbow, Ankle, Finger, Toe, Prosthetic hip, Prosthetic knee, Prosthetic shoulder)

Container

Fluid collected in a screw-capped sterile tube or other sterile leak-proof container (minimum volume: 1 mL). Do not submit syringes with needles attached. Joint Tissue can be submitted in a screw-capped sterile leak-proof container.
 

Collection Instructions

1. Disinfect overlying skin with 70% alcohol.
2. Aspirate joint fluid using a sterile needle and syringe.
3. Place the joint fluid in a screw-capped sterile tube or other sterile leak-proof container (minimum volume: 1 mL). Do not submit syringes with needles attached.
4. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of fluid specimen.
5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature.
Note: Specimen source is required on request form for processing.
Sources: Joint Fluid, Joint Tissue (Knee, Shoulder, Hip, Wrist, Elbow, Ankle, Finger, Toe, Prosthetic hip, Prosthetic knee, Prosthetic shoulder)

Transport Instructions

Transport promptly at ambient temperatures.

Specimen Stability

Transport to the lab as soon as possible. Do not refrigerate. (Irretrievable specimen)

Methodology

Microbiology Culture (aerobic and anaerobic)
Includes Gram stain (only for fluid or Eswab), organism identification, and susceptibility testing, if indicated.

Days Performed

Monday through Sunday

Performing Laboratories

Northwell Health Laboratories

CPT

87070

PDM

227066

Results

Result Interpretation

Reference Range: No Growth

Forms
ID Micro LAB10264 build edit