Lower Respiratory Culture, Sputum

Synonyms

• BAL
• BRONCH WASH
• BRONCHOALVEOLAR
• CULTURE - SPUTUM
• CX SPUTUM
• ENDOTRACHEAL
• LAB900
• LAVAGE
• PNEUMONIA
• SPUTUM
• TRACHEAL ASPIRATE

Cerner Name

Sputum Culture

Clinical Info

This culture is intended for the routine recovery of bacterial pathogens from lower respiratory
specimens including sputum (induced and expectorated) and tracheal aspirates.
Do not use this order for bronchoalveolar lavage/wash specimens, order Culture-
Bronchial. Specimens will be evaluated for adequacy by Gram stain. 

Specimen Sources

Expectorated Sputum Induced Sputum Sputum Trachea

Specimen Types

Aspirate Body Fluid Respiratory

Specimen Volume

5 ml- (Minimum volume- 1 ml)

Container

  Sterile leak-proof screw-cap container

Collection Instructions

1. Collect 5 mL (minimum
volume: 1 mL) of a first morning “deep cough” sputum specimen in a sterile
container.
2. Instruct patient to take a deep breath,
hold it momentarily, then cough deeply and vigorously into screw-capped,
sterile container provided in kit.
3. Label container with patient’s name (first
and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
Unacceptable specimens
1.Sputum collected in a swab container.
2. Sputum specimen which grossly appears to be
saliva and does not meet the sputum screening criteria.

Transport Instructions

Maintain sterility and
forward promptly.

Specimen Stability

Up to 48 hours old if refrigerated.

Methodology

Bacterial
culture, includes gram stain
evaluation of specimen for acceptability.

Days Performed

7 days/week

Performing Laboratory

Northwell Health Laboratories

CPT

87070 -culture - If
culture is positive, additional charge(s)/CPT code(s) may apply for
identification
and/or antibiotic susceptibilities performed
when appropriate.
87205 – Gram stain

PDM

6201150

Only Orderable at Locations:

Orderable Everywhere

Results

Result Interpretation

Forms